Winning in Albuquerque is supposed to be impossible. Seriously. Ask the dozens of coaches who have wandered into the high desert over the last forty years only to leave with a losing record and a thousand-yard stare. But then comes Jason Eck, a man who looks more like your favorite high school history teacher than a gridiron savior, and suddenly everything changes.
The University of New Mexico (UNM) didn't just find a coach in December 2024; they found a lightning bolt.
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Honestly, the "Jason Eck New Mexico" era started with a weird kind of skepticism. People knew what he did at Idaho—taking a dormant Vandal program and dragging them into the FCS quarterfinals—but the Mountain West is a different animal. You've got bigger budgets, faster athletes, and a fan base that has been burned so many times they’re practically made of scar tissue.
The 9-3 Reality Check
Most experts pegged the Lobos for a "building year" in 2025. Instead, Eck delivered a 9-3 regular season. That isn't just a good year by UNM standards; it's historic. It is the most wins by a first-year coach in the program's history, shattering a mark held by Gwinn Henry since 1934.
He didn't do it with five-star recruits. He did it by being, well, kind of a genius at roster management.
When Eck arrived, the cupboard wasn't just bare; it was basically a pile of sawdust. He had the fewest returning players in the entire FBS. Think about that for a second. You're starting a new job in a new state, and you have to convince 100 kids who don't know you to play a physical, violent game at a high level.
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Why the New Five-Year Contract Matters
The biggest news recently isn't a play on the field, but a signature on a piece of paper. On November 30, 2025, UNM Athletics Director Fernando Lovo announced a massive five-year contract extension for Eck.
This isn't just a "thank you" for a winning season. It’s a defensive move.
The Details of the Deal:
- Total Value: Roughly $8.75 million through the 2030 season.
- Average Annual Salary: $1.75 million (up from the initial $1.15 million).
- The Buyout: If a bigger school wants to poach him in 2026, they’ll have to cough up $4 million.
That $4 million number is the real story. It’s a "hands off" sign to the rest of the country. For a school like New Mexico, making their coach the highest-paid public employee in state history is a statement of intent. They are tired of being a stepping stone.
The "Office" Vibe and Authentic Culture
College football is usually too serious. Coaches talk in "coach-speak" and act like they’re leading an army into the Great War. Eck? He makes parody videos of The Office to sell tickets. He’s authentic, and players can smell that a mile away.
You saw it in the UCLA game. Nobody expected New Mexico to walk into the Rose Bowl and take down a Big Ten opponent 35-10. It was the program's first-ever win against that conference. The fans responded by selling out University Stadium for the first time since 2007 during the rivalry game against New Mexico State.
Basically, he made it cool to wear cherry and silver again.
Breaking Down the X's and O's
Eck’s background as an offensive lineman at Wisconsin under Barry Alvarez tells you everything you need to know about his philosophy. He wants to be physical, but he’s not a dinosaur. His offensive coordinator, Luke Schleusner (who followed him from Idaho), runs a system that is surprisingly explosive.
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They finished 2025 with an offense that didn't just "move the chains"—it broke them.
The defense, led by Dan Jackson, turned into a turnover machine. They went from being one of the worst units in the country in 2024 to a group that held Air Force to just 3 points in a late-season masterpiece.
What’s Next for New Mexico Football?
The 2025 season ended with a narrow OT loss to Minnesota in the Rate Bowl (20-17), but the momentum hasn't slowed down. Heading into the 2026 season, the expectations have shifted from "hope we win a few" to "why not win the Mountain West?"
Key areas to watch for the 2026 season:
- Talent Retention: With the transfer portal being a literal wild west, keeping stars like Keyshawn James-Newby (who just accepted a 2026 Shrine Bowl invite) is the top priority.
- Quarterback Development: Whether it’s a returning starter or a portal addition, Eck's system lives and dies by the guy under center.
- Facility Upgrades: The school has committed $11 million to stadium upgrades, including new video boards. Winning brings money, and money brings better toys.
People used to joke that the "Jason Eck New Mexico" connection was just a temporary stop before he headed back to the Midwest. But with a $4 million buyout and a community that treats him like a rockstar, it feels like he’s actually building something meant to last.
If you're looking to follow the program more closely, start by checking the official Lobo Athletics site for spring game dates. The 2026 schedule is already looking brutal, but if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that betting against an Eck-led team is usually a bad idea. Check out the local Albuquerque papers for beat reporting on spring transfers; that's where the next season is won or lost.