What to know about Dennis Sanchez, the new head coach for New Mexico United

Dennis Sanchez had a special place in his heart for New Mexico well before Tuesday.

Now that he’s been announced as New Mexico United’s new head coach, Sanchez is that much more excited to call Albuquerque and the The Land of Enchantment home.

Sanchez, 37, officially became United’s fourth head coach on Christmas Eve, taking over for Eric Quill, who moved on to coach MLS FC Dallas in November after a successful 18-month stint with NMU. Sanchez enjoyed his own success coaching USL Championship Las Vegas Lights in 2024 — with arguably the biggest win coming in Albuquerque.

In his first season in Las Vegas, Sanchez transformed the Lights from a three-win, last-place club to a Western Conference playoff qualifier. His team finished fourth, knocked off Sacramento Republic FC in round one of the playoffs, upset top-seeded United 1-0 in round two, and advanced to the conference finals before falling to eventual USLC champ Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

It was Sanchez’s first season as a head coach and Las Vegas Lights’ first postseason appearance — one few saw coming when he was hired five weeks before the 2024 campaign. The Lights’ impressive run made Sanchez a hot coaching commodity this offseason.

“It’s a credit to the players we had last year that I had other opportunities,” Sanchez said in a phone interview from Atlanta, where he is visiting his parents for the holidays. “I just feel like coaching New Mexico United is a really attractive opportunity. What they’ve built there in a relatively short time, the track record for success, the connection to the community and a talented core of players, I’m excited to be part of it.”

Sanchez plans to relocate from Las Vegas to Albuquerque in early January, not long before players report to start training for the 2025 season. But he and NMU Sporting Director Itamar Keinan have already identified and begun contacting players they hope to add to United’s roster. The club has thus far announced 13 returning players from last season, when New Mexico went 18-11-5 and finished first in the USLC Western Conference.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about the job Eric Quill did last year,” Sanchez said, “and I think we’re where we want to be at this point. We have some key player targets that we’re after right now, character guys with versatility that can complement what’s already here. We also need to leave a few openings for players who may fall through the cracks that we can pick up later. Building a roster is kind of a balancing act.”

A Northern California native, Sanchez grew up playing soccer. He played collegiately at San Diego State (2005-08), where he was a defender and team captain. Even then, Sanchez’s soccer dreams did not revolve around a professional playing career.

“I always thought I’d be a better coach than a player,” he said. “I probably would have been a journeyman sleeping on somebody’s couch. I started getting into the tactical, organizational side right away.”

After starting as an assistant coach at SDSU, Sanchez immersed himself in various aspects of professional coaching. His stops included MLS Columbus Crew (academy general manager), Sacramento Republic (academy director), Charleston Battery (assistant coach/interim head coach), MLS Next Pro Austin FC II (assistant coach) and finally the head job with Las Vegas Lights.

Sanchez and Quill were finalists for 2024 USL Championship Coach of the Year honors, and both enjoyed considerable success in Albuquerque. United went 12-5-2 in regular and postseason play at Isotopes Park, with two of the defeats coming versus Las Vegas.

Sanchez didn’t necessarily see himself returning to the state as United’s head coach, but he does feel an unusual connection to New Mexico.

“My grandpa and my great grandpa were both born there, somewhere around Albuquerque,” Sanchez said. “Every time I’ve visited the state, I’ve always felt this kind of different, magical energy there. I’m looking forward to researching my ancestors more and just connecting to the community. That’s very important to me.”

United plans to hold a media conference to introduce Sanchez in early January.