After just one season, Bronco Mendenhall parlayed his New Mexico Lobos tenure into the Utah State Aggies’ lead role. Now, the Lobos are searching for their third head coach in three years.
Replacement Candidates for Bronco Mendenhall at New Mexico
New Mexico signed Mendenhall to a five-year, $6 million contract last offseason. He went 5-7 in his debut campaign, which looks more impressive when you realize the Lobos started 0-4.
With the regular season over, rumors began to emerge linking Mendenhall to the Aggies’ full-time head coach role. They spent the 2024 season with Nate Dreiling in the interim position and went 4-8. However, Mendenhall denied having contact with the program.
Just days later, Mendenhall officially signed a six-year deal — a move that clearly rubbed New Mexico vice president Fernando Lovo and the entire fanbase the wrong way.
A statement from Vice President/Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo.#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/pmmXnmGGEB
— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) December 6, 2024
The writing was on the wall, with offensive coordinator Jason Beck leaving the program for the same role with the Utah Utes and star QB Devon Dampier and WR1 Luke Wysong entering the transfer portal.
So, who are some potential replacements for Mendenhall in Albuquerque?
Brent Vigen, HC, Montana State Bobcats
Brent Vigen has turned Montana State into an FCS powerhouse, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, given he began his coaching career at North Dakota State. He isn’t a stranger to the Mountain West, either, having served on the Wyoming Cowboys’ staff from 2014 to 2020.
If the Bobcats win an FCS national title in 2024, Vigen could seek a new challenge with New Mexico.
Marcus Arroyo, OC, Arizona State Sun Devils
Marcus Arroyo slowly built the UNLV Rebels, going 0-6 (COVID year), 2-10, and 5-7 in his three years with the program.
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Then, after a year away from collegiate coaching, Arroyo joined Kenny Dillingham’s staff with the Arizona State Sun Devils. As the offensive coordinator and QBs coach, he has helped Sam Leavitt break out as a first-year starter and power the school to a Big 12 championship.
Nick Rolovich, Former HC, Washington State Cougars
Nick Rolovich might not be the first name that comes to mind, but he brings a compelling case. His success in the Mountain West Conference speaks for itself. While at Hawai’i, he went 28-27, including an impressive 10-5 finish in 2019 that earned the Rainbow Warriors a division title.
His transition to Washington State was marred by controversy surrounding his refusal to comply with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, but his lone season in Pullman saw the Cougars finish 5-6 in a pandemic-shortened year.
Still only 45, Rolovich has kept his coaching chops sharp, recently running the offense for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. If he’s eager to return to the college ranks, the New Mexico job could offer him a golden opportunity to reclaim his status as a successful head coach.
Tim Beck, OC, Vanderbilt Commodores
Tim Beck hasn’t been a head coach since his 2010-2019 run at Pittsburg State, but after a successful year as the Vanderbilt Commodores’ offensive play-caller, perhaps he will jump back into a head coach seat.
Beck is also familiar with the area, as he was the New Mexico State Aggies OC/QBs coach from 2022 to 2023.
Matt Wells, Co-OC, Kansas State Wildcats
Coaching for nearly three decades, Matt Wells is one of the most experienced coaches in the game. He’s best known for his success at Utah State, where he posted three 9+ win campaigns with three bowl victories and five appearances in six seasons.
Wells parlayed that success into the leading role at Texas Tech. He didn’t hit the ground running, going 8-14 in his first two years. But he had the Red Raiders on the right track before being fired midseason in 2021. The program was 5-3 at the time, and the move surprised many, including Wells himself.
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Wells has also had two stints with the Lobos:
- 2007-08: WRs coach/recruiting coordinator
- 2010: WRs coach
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