After three seasons of improvement, University of New Mexico men's basketball coach Richard Pitino has agreed to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season. The extension follows the team's most successful season in a decade, making it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament for the first time since 2014.
In a May 7 press release, UNM Director of Athletics Eddie Nunez acknowledged the program's success as a driving force behind the extension.
“He has also been a great representative of our university and an ambassador for Lobo Athletics throughout the community. Recent on-court success has increased revenue and we are in the best position to continue to drive that growth.” We believe the way forward is to reinvest in our programs,” Nunez said in a press release.
Pitino will earn between $1.2 million and $1.4 million annually during the term of his contract.
In a press release, Pitino said he is excited to continue building the program.
“We've accomplished some great things this year and we're looking forward to building on that success. Our amazing fans deserve a win, and we're committed to giving them a team they can be proud of. I will continue to work tirelessly,” Pitino said in a press release.
Last season, The Pit averaged 13,042 fans in attendance, ranking 23rd in the nation.
In his first season as Lobo coach, 2020-21, Pitino took over a team that went 6-16. Under Pitino, the team improved to 13 wins and 19 losses. His biggest additions this year were the transfers of Jalen House and Jamal Mashburn. The team transformed into a powerful offense, leading the Mountain West Conference with 74.3 points per game.
House and Mashburn earned spots on the All-Conference Third Team, but the team was eliminated in the first round of the conference tournament.
During the 2022-23 season, the program began to gain momentum. The team finished with an overall record of 22 wins and 12 losses. The Lobos started with a 14-0 run. They were the last undefeated team in the NCAA. It was also ranked 21st by the Associated Press. Top 25 votes.
Pitino looked to increase the size of his roster for the 2022-23 season.
Morris Udeze transferred to UNM in his final year of eligibility and earned a spot on the All-Conference Third Team. Freshman Donovan Dent adds additional depth to the Stellar backcourt. House earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team and All-Defensive Team. Mashburn was the conference's leading scorer and first team all-conference.
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Despite a strong start, the team struggled during conference play. They lost in the second round of conference teams and missed out on the NCAA Tournament. The robots were eliminated in the first round of the national invitational tournament.
Last season, the Lobos finished with an overall record of 26 wins and 10 losses. In House and Mashburn's final year together, the team rose to the point of competing in March Madness. At the beginning of the season, it was clear that Dent had grown over the summer, and fellow underclassman JT Toppin quickly found success in his college career.
House was named Mountain West Tournament MVP and was named to the All-Conference Third Team and All-Defensive Team. Mustafa Amzil was taken in the transfer portal and became the conference's sixth man to share the Man of the Year award. Dent and Toppin both made the All-Conference second team. Toppin joined Mashburn's all-tournament team.
They are ranked 19th in the AP Top 25, Won the Mountain West Tournament, 4 wins in 4 days. The team lost to Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Next year's team will look different with the departure of House and Mashburn. But the Pitino era was marked by improvement on the bottom line, finding perennially undervalued transfer portal targets and recruiting under-the-radar freshmen.
Pitino has restored UNM basketball to its former glory. Fans will find out next year whether The Pit's rapid growth continues.
Thomas Bulger is the Daily Lobo's sports editor. Contact him at sports@dailylobo.com or @thomasbulger10 on Twitter.
Thomas Bulger is sports editor at Daily Lobo. Contact him at sports@dailylobo.com or @thomasbulger10 on Twitter.