Mike Bradbury out as UNM women's basketball coach

The Mike Bradbury era of UNM women's basketball is over.

The veteran coach and new UNM Athletic Director Ryan Berryman came to an agreement on a buyout of his contract on Friday — paying Bradbury through the end of this contract year (June 30), then a settlement of $150,000.

Bradbury, who was making $305,000 annually and was under contract through the 2027-28 season, had sought a contract extension, but Berryman was not comfortable with it given the team’s results.

A national search for a replacement has begun. Berryman told the Journal he and his staff do not plan to use a search firm. 

“I’d like to thank the University of New Mexico for the last 10 years,” Bradbury said in a statement released by UNM.

“I am proud of the program we built and the consistency we have had to compete at the top of the conference. This was the journey of a lifetime, but the time has come for something new.

“I am also proud of what we accomplished, the 200 wins and a regular season championship (2021). I am proud of all the student athletes I had the opportunity to coach and their commitment to Lobo women’s basketball.

“I am grateful for everyone who has been a part of this journey. I would like to thank the administration, both former and current, the fans and the City of Albuquerque for being such an important part of my family's journey.”

Bradbury’s contract had called for a $350,000 buyout if fired without cause. Instead, Bradbury and UNM negotiated the settlement.

UNM has also agreed to pay the women's basketball assistant coaching staff through the end of April, though their contracts expire on March 31.

“Coach Bradbury and I recently met for a conversation regarding our women’s basketball program,” said Berryman, less than three weeks into the job, in a statement. “After a discussion that the program’s results did not meet the expectations necessary for a contract extension, we agreed that a separation would be in the best interest of both parties, and have agreed on a buyout of his existing contract.

“We are grateful for the 10 years coach Bradbury, his family and his staff dedicated to New Mexico. We wish Coach Bradbury the best in all of his future endeavors. A national search for the next head coach of Lobo women’s basketball will commence immediately.

“We are excited about the future of the program and the opportunity to build on its strong foundation.”

Bradbury went 202-112 (114-64 in Mountain West regular-season play) in his 10 years at UNM since taking over from Yvonne Sanchez ahead of the 2016-17 season.

Bradbury’s career record is 380-229 over 20 seasons, including prior stops at Morehead State and Wright State.

The Lobos went 22-9 this past season and were 14-6 in Mountain West play with a quarterfinal exit from the Mountain West Tournament — another postseason disappointment for the program that went just 3-10 in the league tournament. Bradbury’s teams advanced to the semifinals just twice in his tenure despite averaging a four seed over the past decade. The Lobos were eliminated by a lower-seeded team six times.

UNM women's basketball has not been to an NCAA Tournament since 2008.

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.