Open Announce

UNM, Birmingham Reach Three-Year Contract

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico department of athletics has announced that it has reached a three-year contract agreement with legendary head baseball coach Ray Birmingham.
 
Birmingham, who has coached for 41 years in the state of New Mexico, will see his career expand to parts of six decades and include over 1,100 college victories. The winningest baseball coach in New Mexico history, Birmingham has been a part of 22 championships, with seven coming as the skipper of the Lobos. In seven of his first 11 seasons at UNM, the Lobos have been nationally ranked.

“We are excited to have Coach Birmingham continue to lead our Lobo Baseball program,” Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez said. “I appreciate his dedication to creating a highly-successful program that is committed to our student-athletes and their futures, as well as his contributions to our community.”

Both Birmingham and his team have been visible and active in the community, hosting free clinics and making frequent visits to UNM Children’s Hospital. Last year Birmingham teamed up with the U.S. Air Force Academy to have Lio Ortega, a 5-year old Lobo fan and cancer patient, deliver a “first hit,” which earned national attention from the NCAA, USA Today and Good Morning America.
 
“I am grateful for the honor to represent the great state of New Mexico for three more years,” Birmingham said. “I’d like to thank Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez and President Garnett Stokes, as well as the many Lobo Baseball boosters and supporters. I am proud to be a New Mexico educator and coach, and have been blessed to be mentored by many outstanding New Mexico coaches and leaders. I love my state!”
 
This coming February, Birmingham will begin his 12th season as head coach of the Lobos. In his time at UNM, Birmingham has led the Lobos to nine, 30-plus win seasons and has the third-most wins in program history with 361. His .559 winning percentage ranks second all-time in the program.
 
“My goal for this program is to continue to develop student-athletes that will represent our great state and our great university,” remarked Birmingham. “Our goal is always going to be to compete for championships and we need to continue to make improvements to Santa Ana Star Field. Not only is it our home field, but the state high school tournament and many youth all-star tournament games are played there as well. Santa Ana Star Field needs to be a showcase for the young people of New Mexico to be proud of and for UNM to use as a NCAA regional host site.
 
“I am proud that I get to finish my career under the New Mexico flag, the same flag I started under.”
 
Birmingham and the Lobo baseball team will embark on the 2019 season on February 15 as they open the regular season in Surprise, Ariz. against the defending National Champions, Oregon State.