Bradbury Signs Contract Extension
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— New Mexico has extended the contract for Lobo women’s basketball head coach Mike Bradbury as announced by Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez on Thursday.
“I am excited to have Coach Bradbury continue to lead our program,” said Nuñez. “Our fans enjoy his high-energy, fast-paced style of play.”
“I’m appreciative of Eddie, President Stokes and the administration’s support and belief in me to continue to lead this program,” said Bradbury. “I am proud of what we have built here and look to continue to build on the success of the past seven years to make The University of New Mexico and its great fans proud.”
In his seven years at the helm of the program, Bradbury has guided the Lobos to a 141-78 (.644) overall record and 77-45 (.631) record in conference. Four times in his tenure (2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22 and 2022-23) the Lobos eclipsed the 20-win mark, with the Lobos tying the program record for most wins in a single season with 26 in 2021-22. Further, the 25 wins in 2017-18 were tied for the second-most wins in program history.
The consecutive 20-plus win seasons under Bradbury in 2017-18 and 2018-19 were the first for the program since the 2007-08 – 2008-09 seasons, and Bradbury added his second back-to-back 20-win seasons in the past two years. He has also led the Lobos to double-digit wins in conference play in each of the last three seasons, six times in his seven years. Additionally, Bradbury became just the second coach in UNM history to win 100 games with a win over Grambling on Nov. 30, 2021.
The Lobos have sustained success under Bradbury as historically, UNM has finished either first or second in the conference in scoring offense in the last six years (four times first). During Bradbury’s seven years, the Lobos have reached the postseason five times, twice reaching the Sweet 16 of the WNIT.
In the 2020-21 season, Bradbury led the Lobos to a Mountain West regular season championship, the first outright in program history and the first regular season title since the 2004-05 season.
During the 2021-22 season, the program established several program records, setting the program record in made three-pointers (346), a program-best 171 made three-pointers in conference season, as well as a program-record 596 assists on the season and 292 in conference games. In addition, the Lobos made a program-high 523 field goals in conference and scored the most points in conference in program history with 1,413 points. That season, the Lobos set the program record and the MW record in made three-pointers in a game with 21, and three games later made 19 three-pointers for the second most in a game in program history. UNM also set the program record in points in a game with 120. The Lobos also went on a nine-game win streak, the second longest in program history.
This past season, the Lobos set the program record for most points scored in a conference game with 111 points and the second-most scored overall with seven Lobos scoring in double figures, a first in program history.
In his time at UNM, Bradbury has coached 13 All-Conference players, four honorable mentions, six named to the MW All-Defensive team, three to the MW All-Freshman team, three MW Newcomer of the Years, one MW Sixth Person of the Year, one MW Player of the Year and a MW Freshman of the Year. A Lobo has been named Mountain West Player of the Week 18 times with three named Freshman of the Week.
Effective July 1, 2023, the contract extension is for five years with the base salary remaining unchanged at $275,000 in the first year and $280,000 for the remaining four years.