Chamber Board members heard last week from two leaders of the University of New Mexico’s athletics program, Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez and Lobo Football Head Coach Danny Gonzales, both of whom spoke about a new direction for UNM athletics and establishing a culture of winning on and off the field.
Nuñez led off by discussing the steps he’s taken to establish a culture of responsibility, accountability, and winning in UNM athletics, and the importance of re-engaging the community to make UNM sports a central part of life in Albuquerque.
Since joining UNM from Louisiana State University’s athletics program in 2017, one of Nuñez’ most significant hires has been bringing back Albuquerque native and former Lobo player and assistant coach Danny Gonzales to lead the team. In introducing the new football head coach he brought on board last December, Nuñez asserted that he was convinced that Gonzales was the man to put UNM football back on the college sports map.
Gonzales addressed the Board about the importance of building a program of student-athletes that is successful not just on the football field, but also in preparing players to earn a degree and make the right decisions off the field as well. Gonzales noted that UNM led the Mountain West Conference in the GPA of players on the football squad, and intends to maintain that commitment to setting players up for success after their football careers are done.
Board Member Sherman McCorkle makes a point about the UNM athletic program as part of a question to UNM Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez