Eric Olen is leaving the UC San Diego Tritons to coach New Mexico. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
(Ian Maule via Getty Images)
Eric Olen has been hired as the new men’s basketball coach at New Mexico, leaving UC San Diego after five seasons. He takes over for Richard Pitino, who left Albuquerque to take the opening at Xavier last week.
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Olen, 44, came into this year’s NCAA tournament as one of the most intriguing head coaches in the field of 68 after the Tritons compiled a 30-5 record and 18-2 mark in the Big West, winning the conference regular season and tournament championship.
UC San Diego was a popular upset pick in the opening round versus Michigan. After trailing by 14 at halftime, the Tritons made a significant second-half rally before losing 68-65. Olen’s calm demeanor on the sideline while a blowout seemed imminent, followed by his team’s comeback, was notable.
New Mexico officially announced Olen’s hiring on Sunday afternoon. He reportedly agreed to a five-year contract to coach the Lobos.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Eric Olen as the new head coach of Lobo Men’s Basketball,” New Mexico school vice president and athletic director Fernando Lovo said in a statement.
“Eric is a proven winner with an incredible track record. Beyond the accolades and success on the court, he is a values-driven leader who puts student-athletes first,” he added. “We’re confident he’ll bring tremendous energy and vision to our program. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Eric, his wife Lauren, and their daughters Avery and Madeline — we’re excited to have them join the Lobo family here in Albuquerque.”
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Olen began his coaching career with the Tritons, working as an assistant on Chris Carlson’s staff for 10 seasons. He took over as head coach when Carlson left for an associate commissioner position with the West Coast Conference.
UC San Diego played in Division II as part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association during Olen’s first seven seasons on the sideline. The Tritons won three CCAA regular-season titles and four tournament championships during that span.
In its final season before moving up to Division I and joining the Big West, UC San Diego went 21-1. However, the postseason tournament was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
UC San Diego officially announced on Sunday afternoon that Clint Allard would replace Olen. He was the associate head coach on the staff for the past 11 seasons. He was in charge of a matchup zone defense that allowed 61.8 points per game and made the Tritons a national curiosity, along with Olen’s “five-out” offense.
New Mexico made two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances under Pitino. In this year’s tourney, the Lobos defeated Colorado State in the first round before falling to Michigan State in the second. UAB coach Andy Kennedy and former Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego were reportedly also considered for the opening.