Eric Olen, head coach of the University of New Mexico men's basketball team, expressed in an ESPN Radio TEAM Talk interview that he is drawing on his NCAA Tournament experience at UC San Diego as he works towards providing New Mexico fans with a similar experience in March.
"Are we gonna take another big in this class," said Olen. "The Pit is forever. We gotta get back."
In a March 30, 2025 release, the University of New Mexico announced Eric Olen as the new head coach of the men's basketball program. He replaces Richard Pitino following Pitino's departure to Xavier. Olen arrives in Albuquerque after a successful 12-year tenure at UC San Diego, where he achieved a 240–119 record and led the Tritons to their first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. The university highlighted his ability to build competitive teams, focus on player development, and reputation for fostering team identity through culture and cohesion.
According to Reuters, Olen takes over leadership of the Lobos after a notable 2024–25 season during which the team recorded a 27–8 record, won the Mountain West regular-season title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s second round with a victory over No. 7 seed Marquette. This achievement marked the Lobos' first NCAA Tournament win in over ten years, raising hopes for continued postseason success under Olen's guidance. His arrival underscores a commitment to maintaining national relevance and competing at a high level from day one.
During his introductory press conference on June 17, 2025, Olen outlined his strategy for rebuilding the Lobos with an entirely new roster. He emphasized developing chemistry through shared experiences both on and off the court and acknowledged The Pit's cultural significance as a unique college basketball environment. Olen said his desire to establish a fast-paced, aggressive team identity and mentioned that his staff is focused on maximizing the program’s home court advantage and fan engagement.
Olen hails from Mobile, Alabama, and played college basketball at Spring Hill College before starting his coaching career at UC San Diego in 2004. After nine years as an assistant coach, he became head coach in 2013 and guided the Tritons through their transition from Division II to Division I.
Editor's note: This article includes excerpts from TEAM Talk with Joe O’Neill, Adam Diehl, and Andres Chavez.
