Jason Eck introduced as New Mexico’s head football coach

Dec. 17—Standing at the podium, Jason Eck spoke about his new opportunity as if he was pitching a recruit’s family instead of a room filled with vested supporters.

“I don’t look at an 18-year-old young man graduating from high school as where he is right now — I see where he can be in a few years,” he said during a news conference. “And that’s how I look at this New Mexico football program.”

Eck largely adopted that tone as he was introduced as the University of New Mexico’s new head football coach on Tuesday morning at the Pit, referencing the short- and long-term potential that drew him to Albuquerque and his excitement to help the Lobos reach it.

The 47-year-old replaces Bronco Mendenhall after compiling a 26-13 overall record with three Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances in as many seasons as the head coach of Idaho. Eck is the third head coach in as many years for UNM, a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2016.

Per a memorandum of understanding signed on Saturday, Eck’s five-year deal would start at $1.15 million in base compensation — a $775,000 raise from his guaranteed salary at Idaho — with annual $50,000 salary escalations. Barring incentives, he’s set to surpass Bronco Mendenhall ($1.2 million annually) as the highest-paid football coach in school history in the third year of his contract.

Described as a program-builder by UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo, Eck earned that moniker by posting three-straight winning seasons at a program that only had two over the last 22 years. The Vandals notably won 10 games for the first time in 36 years this season, a “special” feat Eck compared to what’s possible in his new job.

“With some of the things going on here, the investments they’ve made, the commitment from our administration, I think there’s opportunity here at New Mexico…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jason-eck-introduced-mexicos-head-040100036.html

Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.

Publish date : 2024-12-18 04:01:00

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