Luke Nardo joined the Lobo Family in January 2025 and serves as Outside Linebackers and Nickels Coach, moving there in January 2026. He came to UNM originally as a defensive analyst, where he coached the Star Position for the Lobos. Before UNM, Nardo spent two seasons at West Virginia University.
In his first year, his work in pre-scouting helped UNM to the nation’s most-improved rushing defense and the nation’s No. 2 total defense and No. 2 scoring defense.
Both Luke’s brothers, Matt and Bryan, coach in college football, and their father, Perry, also coached football at the high school level.
PREVIOUS COACHING STOPS
WEST VIRGINIA (2023-24): At WVU, he was the Assistant Linebackers Coach. During his time in Morgantown, they appeared in two bowl games, including a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
OHIO (2021-22): Nardo served as a graduate assistant at Ohio University, where he worked with the safeties under current UNM Defensive Coordinator Spence Nowinsky. During the 2022 season, the Bobcats won 10 games and were selected to participate in the Barstool Arizona Bowl.
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY (2019-20): Got his official coaching career started as a graduate assistant at Nebraska-Kearney.