UNM formally launches national search for new Athletics Director

For the second time in the past year and a half, the search is on for the next Athletics Director for Lobo sports.

Though it was known to be coming for the past two weeks, since former AD Fernando Lovo stepped down to take the same job at the University of Colorado after just 13 months on the job in Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico on Wednesday formally announced the national search has begun and will essentially utilize the same process it did following the August 2024 departure of long-tenured AD Eddie Nuñez.

UNM will use both a local search committee, again chaired by longtime supporter of Lobo athletics and highly-visible business member in the community Del Archuleta, and use the Parker Executive Search firm to accept, vet and whittle down applications to forward to the committee.

Ultimately, the firm, then the committee, will forward its recommendations to UNM President Garnett S. Stokes, who will make the hire for the AD position that does carry a Vice President title, placing the position in her leadership team and under her purview.

Stokes has announced she's retiring after this academic year and stepping down this summer, but has no intention of holding the position in limbo for the next president to fill, especially not with the current momentum the department has going after five consecutive record-breaking fundraising seasons, a breakthrough football season and a fast-starting men's basketball season.

"UNM Athletics is experiencing positive momentum across our programs," Stokes said in a release from the university on Wednesday. "This search is an opportunity to identify a leader who understands today’s collegiate athletics environment and can build on that progress with integrity, accountability, and a clear focus on student-athlete success."

The job posting for the open AD gig, one in which all applicants will go to Parker Executive Search and therefore be viewed by UNM as NOT public record, includes a call for candidates with experience in fundraising and familiarity with the current landscape of college athletics; a landscape that is being dominated by an ever-changing school/player revenue sharing model.

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