UNM hires UCSD’s Olen as new head basketball coach

From La Jolla by the Sea to the Peak of the Sandias.

The University of New Mexico and its Vice President and Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo, have found UNM’s new coach: Eric Olen, according to multiple sources and national reports on Sunday.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Eric Olen as the new head coach of Lobo Men’s Basketball,” Lovo said in a statement from UNM’s Athletic Department. “Eric is a proven winner with an incredible track record. Beyond the accolades and success on the court, he is a values-driven leader who puts student-athletes first. We’re confident he’ll bring tremendous energy and vision to our program.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports Olen’s deal is five years.

Olen comes from the UC San Diego, where he was the head coach from 2013 to 2025.

In the last two seasons with the Tritons, Olen posted an overall record of 51-17. This past year, UCSD went 30-5 and 18-2 in the Big West. The Tritons won the Big West regular season championship and the Big West Conference Tournament, which secured the program’s first bid into the Division I NCAA Tournament.

UCSD lost to Michigan in the first round, 68-65.

“I am honored to be the next Head Coach of New Mexico men’s basketball… I can’t wait to get to work and write the next great chapter in New Mexico basketball history,” Olen said in a statement made by UNM.

Olen was 240-119 since 2013, and before UCSD jumped to Division I and the Big West, he led the Tritons to three straight Division II Tournaments from 2016 to 2019.

UCSD was 30-1 overall and 21-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association in 2019-2020 before the 2020 tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.

Olen will replace former UNM head men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino.

Pitino left the Lobos for the same position at Xavier in the Big East Conference.