WASHINGTON, D.C. — National newspaper USA Today published its rankings of this year’s head coaching hiring cycle and New Mexico’s hiring of Bronco Mendenhall was ranked as the top new hire in all of college football. Paul Myerberg of USA Today compiled the rankings, which ranked the 18 new head coach hirings.
Mendenhall, who comes to UNM after 17 years at BYU and Virginia and brings with him a litany of success on the field, in the classroom, and beyond, was the top pick, and the next closest Mountain West hire was ranked at No. 7 (SPencer Danielson at Boise State). Houston’s hiring of Willie Fritz from Tulane was ranked No. 2.
Said Myerberg of the hire, “He’s a winner, pure and simple. Mendenhall has been very successful at two stops, Brigham Young and Virginia, reaching bowl eligibility in every non-COVID year of his coaching career outside of his debut season with the Cavaliers. Mendenhall is also a former New Mexico assistant under Rocky Long and brings deep familiarity with the program and the broader region. As one of the surest bets in coaching and a terrific ambassador for the program and athletics department, he’s an absolute coup for the Lobos.”
Myerberg misspoke a little as Virginia was bowl eligible at 5-5 during the 2020 COVID year but opted not to participate despite being eligible.
Mendenhall has been busy since his hiring meeting with every member of the team, hiring staff, and putting together recruiting visits while watching plenty of game film to familiarize himself more fully with the roster.
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