Here's what coach Bronco Mendenhall had to say at Mountain West Media Days

LAS VEGAS — Media days don’t usually provide a ton of breaking news. For one, it’s July — coaches are either on a short vacation, or coming back from one. And it’s the one time a year where the transfer portal isn’t looming. The coaching carousel isn’t spinning.

So day two of Mountain West Media Days was not expected to provide many surprising news nuggets. Bronco Mendenhall, however, was more than happy to provide some.

“I just sold my favorite (horse) the night before I came here,” said New Mexico’s head coach, a veteran of the horse-cutting business. “That was like a dagger right in the jugular — I had been working on it for two years, and it was my next one to replace the one I use most.

“ ... the horse I just sold got a pretty good NIL deal,” he added with a laugh. “Better than the one I gave him.”

In an hour-long media session on Thursday, Mendenhall — hired in December to take over UNM football — discussed everything from new technology in college football to the possibility of swapping names with a conference rival. Some of the highlights:

FALL CAMP: Mendenhall confirmed that the start of UNM’s fall camp on July 24 will be the earliest in his 35 years of coaching. He also confirmed that he’s not much of a fan, but intends to make the best of it.

“The season is long, coaches’ lifestyles (are) limited, vacation’s not very long — it cuts into it,” he said. “However, when you look at the broader picture for the Mountain West conference and possibly for our program, exposure does matter. And so there’s tradeoffs that you sometimes make.”

NEW FACES: How did Colby Brewer — a 29-year-old former member of the Navy Special Operations — become a Lobo?

Mendenhall simply heard his story.

“He was trying to find a place in college football that would let him walk on,” he said when asked about one of the Lobos’ incoming freshmen. “Tried a number of places — we heard about him through one of our existing strength staff members who was a former player of mine. (He) went out to San Diego to do some training, (and) he lived with basically (Brewer’s) former friend. That’s how we got word of him — before we could even invite him, he was in his car and on his way.

“He’s impressive as a human being, capable and humble at the same time. (He’s) learning — or relearning — how to play the game. We don’t have any idea what role he’ll play yet, but I’m compelled by the story and love the idea of someone — regardless of age — chasing their dream and could not not provide an opportunity for him to do that.”

One expected addition was missing from UNM’s updated roster, however. Former BYU running back Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters has not arrived in Albuquerque, Mendenhall said, due to a “miscalculation” in the number of credits needed to complete his transfer and will remain unlisted until the situation is resolved.

“He has a chance to still be here for the arrival of fall camp,” he added. “But that will be with no preparation with us. He’ll be showing up with the credits, but with no training and has been training on his own (and) there’s no way that can replicate what we’ve done.”

Beyond Maiava-Peters, Mendenhall said the roster is set.

RULE CHANGES: In April, the NCAA Division I Council moved to allow the use of up to 18 tablets per sideline for video review among FBS coaching staffs and players in breaks between series, a system that’s taken hold at both the prep and professional levels. Mendenhall said he’s intrigued by the technology.

“More isn’t always better,” he said. “So now it’s making sure the application of and who the owners of each process (are) and that the application lines are clear and effective with the right people in each of those spots.”

In June, the Division I Council approved a rule change allowing FBS analysts to do on-field coaching in addition to their off-field work — something they were previously prohibited from doing. Mendenhall said UNM will be taking advantage of the rule change with their three analysts: Koy Detmer Jr. (offense), Austin Gatewood (defense) and Brett Arkelian (special teams).

EXPECTATIONS: The tone Mendenhall set during the spring — that of realistic optimism — hasn’t changed.

“I like where we are, while acknowledging how far away we are and how fast we have to go to get results,” he said. “It’s gonna take everything. The longest it’s taken me to return to the postseason in either of the two previous jobs I’ve had as a head coach was year two.

“I prefer year one.”

LEADERS: An 11-player leadership group, voted on by players, has been selected. The list, per Mendenhall:

• Edge rusher Gabe Lopez

• Wide receiver Luke Wysong

• Defensive lineman Tyler Kiehne

• Offensive lineman Richard Pearce

• Cornerback Noah Avinger

• Safety Tavian Combs

• Quarterback Devon Dampier

• Running back Andrew Henry

• Tight end Trace Bruckler

• Specialist Aaron Rodriguez

• Linebacker Mihalis Santorineos

“That (group will carry) us through the summer, at the end of fall camp,” he said. “At the end of fall camp, they’re re-voted on.” Captains will also be voted on at the end of fall camp, with jersey number selections set to occur every week until the Lobos open against Montana State.

ODDS AND ENDS:

• Mendenhall said the team is largely healthy.

• Mendenhall opened his media session by discussing his return to New Mexico — and his love for New Mexican food. Does he have a favorite local restaurant? “I’m not willing to claim a favorite because that rules out all others that could be my favorite,” he said. “So, right now, it’s a work in progress. The playoff pool has not been selected yet (but) we’re taking all qualifiers.”

• Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson — the leader of the Broncos — made a joke during his media session about potentially swapping first names with Mendenhall. Mendenhall made it clear he was actually the one who suggested it: “It’s really his parents’ lack of foresight of what he could be,'' Mendenhall joked. “So it’s their problem — the parents are who I blame. But he could go to the courthouse — Bronco’s a cool middle name. He could go get that added … The fans will know you’re committed.”