The Lobo faithful have a new leader to rally behind. The University of New Mexico Vice President/Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo, announced on Sunday (March 30) that Eric Olen has been named the 23rd head coach of Lobo men’s basketball. Olen arrives in Albuquerque after a transformative tenure at UC San Diego, where he built the Tritons into a powerhouse, guiding them from Division II to Division I—culminating in their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Eric Olen as the new head coach of Lobo Men’s Basketball,” Lovo said. “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. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Eric, his wife Lauren, and their daughters Avery and Madeline—we’re excited to have them join the Lobo family here in Albuquerque.”
A Winning PedigreeOlen leaves UC San Diego as the program’s all-time winningest coach, boasting a 240-119 record over 12 seasons as head coach. His leadership was instrumental in UCSD’s rise to Division I, where he led the Tritons to a historic 2024-25 season. Under Olen, UCSD captured the Big West regular-season and tournament championships, securing their first-ever berth in March Madness in their first year of eligibility. The Tritons finished with a remarkable 30-5 record, ranking second in the nation in scoring margin at +17.5 points per game.
His accolades include Big West Coach of the Year and NABC Pacific District Coach of the Year honors in 2025. The Tritons also achieved the highest KenPom (39) and NET (31) rankings of any non-Power 5 or WCC program.
Building a LegacyOlen’s success wasn’t built overnight. He guided UC San Diego through the challenges of transitioning to Division I, steadily improving the program’s competitive standing. Before making the jump, he was a dominant force in Division II, leading the Tritons to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 to 2020 and multiple conference championships. His leadership during the 2019-20 season was particularly noteworthy, as he led UCSD to a 30-1 record and a No. 4 national ranking before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the NCAA Tournament.
Before becoming head coach, Olen spent nine seasons as an assistant at UC San Diego, serving as the recruiting coordinator and player development coach. His coaching roots run deep, shaped by his playing career at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, where he helped the Badgers to multiple NAIA National Tournament appearances, including two trips to the Elite Eight.
The Future of Lobo BasketballWith a proven track record of program-building and player development, Olen now takes the reins of a New Mexico program hungry for a return to national prominence. His ability to adapt, recruit, and develop talent at multiple levels makes him an exciting hire for the Lobos.
“I am honored to be the next head coach of New Mexico Men’s Basketball,” Olen said. “I want to thank President Stokes, Fernando Lovo, and the UNM leadership team for this opportunity. This is one of the most special programs in college basketball, and my family and I are thrilled to be a part of Lobo Nation! I can’t wait to get to work and write the next great chapter in New Mexico basketball history.”
Lobo fans, the future is now. With Olen at the helm, expect an exciting brand of basketball in The Pit as the Lobos look to climb back into the national spotlight.
