ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On Sunday, New Mexico announced the hiring of Eric Olen, former coach of UC San Diego, as the new head basketball coach for the Lobos.
Olen will be stepping in to fill the vacancy left by Richard Pitino, who departed to take on the coaching position at Xavier earlier in the week.
“Eric is a proven winner with an exceptional track record,” stated Fernando Lovo, the athletic director for New Mexico. “Beyond his numerous accomplishments on the court, he is a leader who is deeply committed to his values and prioritizes student-athletes. We believe he will bring great energy and a fresh vision to our program.”
Olen dedicated 21 years at UC San Diego, serving as head coach for the past 12. Under his leadership, the Tritons transitioned successfully from Division II to Division I. Impressively, San Diego secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament recently, thanks to their triumph in both the Big West Conference regular season and tournament titles. Although they showcased a strong performance, the Tritons faced a narrow defeat, losing 68-65 to Michigan in the opening round.
Olen holds the distinction of being the all-time leader in victories for the school, amassing a remarkable record of 240-119.
Taking on the new role, Olen will lead a Lobos team that has made it to the NCAA Tournament for the past two seasons. Last season, New Mexico clinched a victory against Marquette before facing a tough loss to Michigan State.