The University of New Mexico athletics department closed one of the most successful calendar years in school history while simultaneously stepping into a period of transition. As UNM football battled to the final play of its bowl game, the department saw its athletics director depart for a Power Four opportunity, named an interim leader to maintain continuity, and continued building toward the future with roster additions in women’s soccer.
Fernando Lovo Departs UNM for Colorado After Transformational Tenure
Fernando Lovo’s tenure at the University of New Mexico may have lasted just over a year, but its impact was substantial and far-reaching. On Monday, the University of Colorado officially announced Lovo as its new Director of Athletics, a move approved unanimously by the CU Board of Regents.
Lovo, 37, leaves UNM after 13 months at the helm, accepting a five-year contract at Colorado worth $1.2 million annually, split evenly between base salary and media-related obligations. Colorado will also pay UNM an $800,000 buyout to secure Lovo, who had nearly four years remaining on his contract in Albuquerque.
During his short but highly productive tenure, Lovo oversaw a period of unprecedented competitive and financial success. UNM football, under first-year head coach Jason Eck—hired by Lovo after Bronco Mendenhall’s sudden departure—far exceeded expectations. Picked near the bottom of the Mountain West preseason polls, the Lobos finished tied for the conference’s best regular-season record, won nine games, and reached a bowl game for the first time since 2016.
Men’s basketball underwent a complete rebuild after Richard Pitino departed for Xavier, and once again, Lovo’s hire paid immediate dividends. Eric Olen took over a roster with no returning players or coaches and guided the Lobos to a 10–2 start, helping maintain UNM’s status as one of the nation’s toughest home venues.
Across Olympic sports, UNM reached rare national heights. The men’s and women’s track and field teams both finished inside the top 10 nationally, while both cross country programs placed in the top five—an accomplishment unmatched nationally during the calendar year. Four UNM runners claimed individual national championships in that span.
Off the field, UNM Athletics set a fundraising record, with the Lobo Club generating $11.1 million in fiscal year 2025, a 14 percent increase year over year.
In a statement, UNM President Garnett S. Stokes acknowledged Lovo’s contributions while emphasizing continuity moving forward, noting that leadership movement often follows periods of national success.
Ryan Berryman Named Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics
To ensure stability during the transition, President Stokes named Ryan Berryman as Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics, effective January 1, 2026.
Berryman, UNM’s Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer, brings more than a decade of senior leadership experience within the department. His portfolio includes oversight of budgeting, long-term fiscal planning, human resources, legal affairs, procurement, contract administration, and name, image, and likeness agreements.
University leadership emphasized Berryman’s institutional knowledge and steady leadership as critical factors in maintaining momentum across all programs. Berryman, a UNM alumnus, expressed his commitment to continuity and collaboration while the university conducts a national search for a permanent athletics director.
Additional details regarding the search process are expected in the coming weeks.
Lobo Soccer Strengthens 2026 Roster With Addition of Angelina Moschetti
While leadership changes unfolded, New Mexico women’s soccer continued building toward the future. Head coach Karley Nelson announced the addition of defender Angelina Moschetti to the 2026 roster, bringing proven Power Five experience to the back line.
Moschetti arrives at UNM after stints at both Colorado and Baylor, appearing in 39 collegiate matches over three seasons. In her lone year at Baylor, she played in six matches as the Bears allowed just one goal during her appearances. Prior to that, she logged 33 matches at Colorado, scoring her first collegiate goal against eventual national champion North Carolina and recording assists in back-to-back seasons.
A standout at the club level with Slammers FC, Moschetti was part of multiple ECNL championship teams and earned Top Drawer Soccer Playoffs Best XI honors in 2021. Academically accomplished, she made the Dean’s List at Baylor and the Pac-12 Honor Roll at Colorado.
Moschetti cited the team culture and competitive environment as key factors in choosing UNM and joins a five-player freshman class to complete the Lobos’ 2026 recruiting cycle.
Football: Lobos Fall in OT Thriller at Rate Bowl to Close Historic Season
On the field, New Mexico football saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion, falling 20–17 in overtime to Minnesota at the Rate Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix. The loss closed the year at 9–4, just short of becoming the second 10-win team in program history.
The Lobos trailed for most of the second half but delivered one of the most electric moments in bowl history when Damon Bankston returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter—the longest play ever recorded in the Rate Bowl. A creative two-point conversion tied the game at 14, setting the stage for a tense finish.
New Mexico forced key stops late, including a defensive stand after a failed fake punt at midfield, and pushed the game to overtime after both teams traded punts in the final minutes.
UNM struck first in the extra period, with Luke Drzewiecki drilling his third field goal of the game to take a 17–14 lead. Minnesota responded, however, with quarterback Drake Lindsey finding Jalen Smith on a diving touchdown catch on third down to seal the win after replay review.
Despite the loss, the Lobos capped one of the most memorable seasons in school history—posting nine wins, an undefeated home record, and establishing a foundation that now carries forward under a new leadership structure.