ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The University of New Mexico has named Jason Eck as the 34th head coach of the Lobo football program.

UNM made the announcement Saturday, just over a week after Bronco Mendenhall announced his departure.

Jason Eck comes to New Mexico after three seasons with the University of Idaho football program. Eck led them to a national ranking and playoff appearances each season.

“I am thrilled to have Jason Eck as our next head football coach,” said UNM Athletics Director Fernando Lovo. “Jason has led Idaho to tremendous success by turning the program around and building on success year after year through recruiting, teaching and a strong culture. Throughout his career, he has been involved in successful programs at all levels of college football and his passion for the success and well-being of student-athletes is evident. We are fortunate to have Jason and his family joining the Lobos and I am confident he will lead us to unprecedented heights.”

Eck has 26 years of coaching experience at the Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision and Division II levels. He led Idaho to the FCS quarterfinals the last two seasons and gave them three winning seasons – a contrast to Idaho’s two winning seasons in the 22 years ago.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as head coach of the New Mexico Lobos. I know that the university community, students, alumni, Lobo Nation, and the communities of greater Albuquerque and New Mexico are committed to success, and I can’t wait to help them achieve that success. We will have great coaches and support staff and develop our student-athletes into elite athletes, UNM graduates and people. “My wife Kimberly and our five children are excited to be a part of Albuquerque and we are ready to go!” Eck stated.

In 2024, Eck led Idaho to a 10-4 record, with three of those losses coming against No. 1 ranked teams. Idaho won five straight to close the regular season, leading Idaho to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs for the second straight year. This all happened even after they lost their starting quarterback to injury.

Eck spent six seasons with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits before heading to Idaho. He spent his first three years at South Dakota State as an offensive line coach and the last three as an offensive coordinator. During his tenure, the Jackrabbits made three FCS playoff semifinal appearances and one national championship game appearance.

Eck also has experience on the O-line at Montana State and Minnesota State, Mankato. He also coached at Western Illinois, Hampton, Ball State, Winona State and Idaho from 2004 to 2007.

Eck graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1999. He played on the Badgers team that won the 1998 Rose Bowl.