Sources: Mendenhall expected to become Utah State head coach

UPDATE: Bronco Mendenhall announced as Utah State's next head coach

New Mexico head football coach Bronco Mendenhall has agreed to take the same role at Utah State, the Journal has learned.

Neither party has formally announced the deal, which is expected to be finalized soon.

Mendenhall, 58, would leave Albuquerque after just one season with the Lobos. The former BYU and Virginia coach had been linked to Utah State’s head coaching vacancy over the past week, and reportedly interviewed for the position Thursday in Logan, Utah — two days after saying he had not been contacted by the Mountain West school.

His expected departure caps a day that saw UNM lose record-setting starting quarterback Devon Dampier and leading receiver Luke Wysong to the transfer portal. UNM offensive coordinator Jason Beck is also leaving to fill the same role at the University of Utah, the program announced Thursday night.

All three thrived under Mendenhall, a 35-year coaching veteran who led UNM to a 5-7 record, its most wins in a season since 2016. Upon arrival, he instituted program mottos such as “earned, not given,” grueling offseason workouts and made players earn their jersey numbers before they could play.

One-year wonder

Hired in December 2023, Mendenhall returned to coach UNM after a two-year hiatus from the game. He had been UNM’s defensive coordinator from 1998-2002. In May, Mendenhall signed a five-year, $6 million deal that made him the highest paid football coach in school history.

UNM is entitled to $2 million due to the early termination of his contract. That sum can be paid out in monthly installments over the next three years, and could be fulfilled by Utah State.

The Aggies completed a 4-8 season last Friday under interim head coach Nate Dreiling.

Dreiling — New Mexico State’s defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 — was elevated after former head coach Blake Anderson was fired in July due to alleged noncompliance with university policy in reporting sexual misconduct; the university has been searching for a permanent replacement since.

A Utah native, Mendenhall has deep ties to the state through his upbringing and coaching career. On3.com’s Pete Nakos reported last week that Mendenhall was “working to get his name in the mix” as Utah State searched for a new head coach.

The Aggies are among five Mountain West teams that will be leaving for the Pac-12 Conference at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Mendenhall said Tuesday in a season-ending press conference that he had not been contacted by or interviewed with Utah State.

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

Day of turnover

Dampier announced his decision to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining via a post on social media. The 5-foot-10, 198-pound sophomore accounted for 3,934 yards of offense, 31 touchdowns and multiple program records in his first year as UNM’s starter, one of the most prolific seasons in school history.

“I appreciate the time, passion and energy coach Mendenhall and all my coaches poured into me, and the lifelong brotherhood that I formed with my teammates,” Dampier posted on X. “We left it all on the field, and I will forever be grateful for this experience … After much consideration and conversations with my family and those closest to me, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”

Dampier threw for 2,768 yards this season, the fifth-most of any quarterback in program history, 12 touchdowns and interceptions in addition to 1,166 rushing yards and 19 scores. With 31 total touchdowns, Dampier tied former UNM quarterback Stoney Case for the third-most in a single season.

“I will miss you all, but (I) am excited for the next two years of my journey,” Dampier closed.

Wysong’s agent, Stefphon Jefferson, confirmed to the Journal that the redshirt junior wide receiver intends to put his name in the portal after leading the Lobos with 69 receptions and 840 yards this season. The Cleveland High School graduate and Rio Rancho native has one year of eligibility remaining.

When reached by the Journal, Wysong did not respond for comment.

Beck, the 44-year-old former BYU quarterback who arrived at UNM with Mendenhall, engineered a Lobo offense that ranked first nationally in yards per carry (6.67) and fourth in total offense per game (483.4) and rushing yards (3,043).

Utah has been searching for a new offensive coordinator since Andy Ludwig stepped down on Oct. 20. Beck’s hire was formally announced late Thursday by Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.

UNM opened the Mendenhall era 0-4 before beating rival New Mexico State 50-40 to start a three-game win streak. The program dropped ensuing games to Colorado State and Wyoming that pushed the Lobos to the brink of postseason elimination.

UNM responded by beating San Diego State 21-16 and knocked off then-No. 19 Washington State 38-35 one week later. Fans stormed the field in the immediate aftermath of the Lobos upset win, what turned out to be the high point of Mendenhall’s one-year tenure.