New Mexico football coach Jason Eck won’t be jumping right back into the job market after a historic first season with the Lobos.
Eck signed a five-year contract extension that would keep him in Albuquerque, New Mexico, through at least 2030, athletic director Fernando Lovo announced on Sunday. The new deal replaces the original contract Eck signed in December 2024 after replacing former New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall, who led the Lobos to a 5-7 record in his lone season with the program.
“My family and I felt immediately welcomed and supported by the Albuquerque community. Our fans have been incredible,” Eck said in a statement. “We love it here, and we believe New Mexico football can be a perennial Mountain West contender.”
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Eck led the Lobos to heights this season not seen by the program in decades. New Mexico finished the regular season 9-3, which is tied for No. 2 for the most wins in a season in program history, trailing only a 10-1 finish in 1982. The Lobos are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016, and Eck is the first coach in program history to make a bowl in his debut season.
New Mexico also went 6-0 at University Stadium, marking the first time they finished a season undefeated at home since 1962. Their final home win of the regular season was a 23-17, double-overtime victory over San Diego State, which forced a four-way tie for first place in the Mountain West. The tie was broken by an average of four computer metrics, which led to Boise State hosting UNLV in the conference championship game on Friday. New Mexico was predicted to finish No. 11 in the 12-team league in the preseason.
Eck surpassed former New Mexico head coach Gwinn Henry for the most wins by a first-year coach in program history, and he led the Lobos to their first win over a Big Ten program with a 35-10 victory over UCLA. The Lobos also snapped a 25-year road losing streak at Air Force and a 13-year skid against Colorado State and went on the road to beat Mountain West title contender UNLV 40-35.
This is Eck’s first season as an FBS head coach. He spent the past three seasons as the head coach at FCS program Idaho, which he led to three straight playoff berths.
What Is Jason Eck’s Salary?
Eck’s original contract paid him a base salary of $1.15 million in 2024, according to USA Today, and he was slated to earn a $50,000 raise every year.
The 48-year-old Wisconsin native’s new deal includes an immediate $400,000 increase in guaranteed compensation, with annual increases of $100,000. It also includes new incentives for total wins, wins over Power Four opponents, and wins over ranked teams. It also increases incentives for making and winning the Mountain West Championship and increases the salary pool for assistant coaches and support staff.
Eck’s new deal is worth a total of $8.75 million, and his average annual compensation will increase to $1.75 million.
What Is Jason Eck’s Buyout?
Eck’s new deal includes a $4 million buyout if he were to leave for another job in 2026, according to the Albuquerque Journal. That figure drops to $2 million in 2027, $750,000 in 2028, $500,000 in 2029, and $300,000 in 2030.
New Mexico Attendance On The Rise
Eck has done more than increase the Lobos’ win total. He’s also enticing fans to watch games at University Stadium.
The Lobos attracted their first sellout crowd since 2007 when 37,440 showed up for a 38-20 win over New Mexico State. That ranks No. 9 among the largest home crowds in program history. New Mexico recorded its largest November crowd in 17 years when 27,526 fans filled the stadium for a 20-17 win over Colorado State. That number was surpassed a few weeks later when 30,575 showed up for the regular season finale against San Diego State.
New Mexico averaged 25,251 fans per home game this season, which is the most since 2009. They averaged 16,001 per home game last season.
