Bronco Mendenhall announced as Utah State's next head coach

New Mexico football's Bronco Mendenhall era is over.

Mendenhall is leaving his position as head coach at UNM to take the same job at Utah State and is signing a six-year deal, the school announced Friday morning.

Mendenhall leaves Albuquerque with a 140-88 career record after leading the Lobos to a 5-7 record in his lone season with the Lobos. The 58-year-old former BYU and Virginia coach interviewed with Utah State on Thursday in Logan, Utah before news of his imminent hiring was reported by the Journal and other outlets that night.

Per his term sheet, Mendenhall will become the highest-paid head coach in the Mountain West with an annual salary starting at $2 million. His base compensation will escalate each year in increments progressing from $60,000 to set up a salary amounting to just over $2.3 million in the sixth and final season of his initial deal.

A Utah native, Mendenhall has deep ties to the state through his upbringing, education and coaching career. He graduated from American Fork (Utah) High School and Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. He would later work at BYU for 13 seasons, spending 11 as the Cougars’ head coach.

“My passion is developing young people and transforming football programs to reach their full potential,” Mendenhall said in Utah State’s release. “Utah State provides a great opportunity to do both and allows a family focus that is essential to me and Holly. We look forward to adding to Utah State’s rich tradition and striving for football excellence.”

Mendenhall notified UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo of his decision on Thursday night after the latter presented an “aggressive offer” regarding further investments in the program, per a UNM release.

In the wake of Utah State’s announcement, Lovo said a search for a new football coach is already underway. The 36-year-old first-time athletic director's background is primarily in college football operations, with previous stints at Ohio State, Houston and Texas.

“We thank (Mendenhall) for his one year of service to the University of New Mexico,” Lovo added in the release.

Mendenhall signed a five-year, $6 million contract in May that made him the highest paid football coach in school history. By terminating the contract at Mendenhall’s request, UNM is entitled to $2 million barring any negotiations that lower said sum.

Utah State will pay the rest of Mendenhall contract out in monthly installments over the next three years.

Mendenhall was hired by UNM in December 2023 after former head coach Danny Gonzales was dismissed following his fourth season with the Lobos. The hire, coordinated by former athletic director Eddie Nuñez, was near-universally acclaimed by fellow coaches and national media; USA Today rated it as the fifth-best move of last season's coaching carousel.

Moreover, it represented a return to Albuquerque for Mendenhall. Before making his mark as the head coach at BYU, he served as former head coach Rocky Long's defensive coordinator from 1998-2002, a "gratifying" period that influenced the rest of his career.

Upon arriving for his second stint with UNM, Mendenhall instituted program mottos such as "earned, not given" and traditions from his previous coaching tenures — like having players earn their jersey numbers — to shift the culture.

After an 0-4 start, the Lobos finished 5-3 down the stretch to finish with the program's most wins since 2016.

Players such as quarterback Devon Dampier and wide receiver Luke Wysong thrived in the Lobos' highly productive offense while defensive struggles doomed UNM's chances of a postseason appearance. Still, UNM claimed its first win over a ranked team in 20 years with a 38-35 upset over then-No. 19 Washington State on Nov. 16.

Before UNM’s season came to an end, Mendenhall had been linked to the Utah State job by multiple reports. When asked Tuesday if he had been in contact with Utah State, he said he had not been contacted by or interviewed with the Mountain West school.

“I have only been speculated to have been contacted by (Utah State),” he said.

Utah State completed a 4-8 season under interim head coach Nate Dreiling last Friday. The former New Mexico State defensive coordinator was elevated after head coach Blake Anderson was fired in July for alleged noncompliance with university procedure in reporting sexual misconduct; the university began searching for a permanent replacement in the immediate aftermath.

Utah State Athletic Director Diana Sabau said Mendenhall emerged as an ideal choice in their search due to his “leadership, proven track record, and deep understanding of the game.”

“He has a deep connection and care for growing young men,” she said in the release. “His student-athletes are proven leaders. He has consistently built programs that emphasize character, discipline, and excellence in every aspect of their lives.”

"The impact that a championship-level football program can have on the profile of the university, the student-body experience, with our alumni and in the Cache Valley community, is immeasurable," Utah State President Elizabeth R. Cantwell added via release. "Bronco Mendenhall is absolutely right for this moment at USU and he will help propel us into a great future."

Utah State is one of five Mountain West schools leaving for the Pac-12 at the start of the 2026-27 academic year. In October, the school announced its intentions of joining Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Boise State in an effort to rebuild the former power conference with Washington State and Oregon State.