Eric Olen is a new-mexic lobo.
The architect of the male basketball season of the UC San Diego who entered a 3-point pointer from the power of powerful Michigan at overtime in the NCAA tournament was hired by the New Mexico. The Union-Tribune reported on Saturday that he was a finalist for the position; UNM announced the rental on Sunday morning.
The UCSD moved quickly and promoted the associate coach Clint Allard, who played there in the mid-2000s and was on the bench for 11 seasons, mainly supervising the defense.
“As a former student of our program, he knows what it means to be a triton,” Edwards said in a press release a few hours after the announcement of the New Mexico. “His ability to recruit elite-athletes scholars, his sense of coaching and his vision of continuous success in this competitive climate make him the ideal candidate to carry out our program in the future.”
The sports director Earl Edwards may not have had the possibility of a job search, with a strict gel at the level of the campus in place for teachers and staff in the middle of large budget cuts. It remains to be seen if he will be allowed to replace this place for coaches staff, as well as any other person who could go with Olen to Albuquerque.
“This is one of the most special programs in university basketball, and my family and I are delighted to be part of Lobo Nation!” Olen said in the school’s press release. “I can’t wait to go to work and write the next big chapter in the history of New Mexico basketball.”
The lobaros finished 27-8, won the title of the regular season of Mountain West and won a match in the NCAA tournament, but then lost against Michigan State and lost coach Richard Pitino against Xavier du Big East. It took four days to find his replacement.
“Eric is a proven winner with an incredible assessment,” said Fernando Lovo, Sports Director of UNM, 36. “Beyond the distinctions and success in the field, he is a leader focused on the values that put students first. We are convinced that he will bring enormous energy and vision to our program. ”
The other known finalist was Andy Kennedy of Alabama-Birmingham, but Olen is younger (44 against 57) and probably came much cheaper, with his reduced contract from $ 712,000 to $ 150,000 when he signed a new agreement last summer.
Details like this have become important for the programs in the middle of the major which rush to follow the explosion of zero payments to the players. Anything that is saved in payment or acquisition coaches can be diverted to building a competitive list.
OLEN’s base salary at the UCSD increased from $ 270,000 to $ 345,000 in its new contract, more “talented costs” of $ 85,000 which brought it to $ 430,000. Performance premiums for the Big West year coach and the appearance of the NCAA tournament pupils him at $ 485,000, although he will not qualify for a “retention” bonus of $ 65,000 which was triggered only if it was still at the UCSD on June 30.
He will probably be twofold or triple his salary at New Mexico. Pitino won $ 1.2 million last season.
For the UCSD, this is the last challenge to maintain the incredible success made during the first year of the school as a member of Division I of the NCAA in its own right. The three best players – Big West Player of the Year Aniwaniwa Tait -Jones, the defensive player of the year of Big West Hayden Gray and the sniper of all the conferences Tyler McGhie – were all seniors and out of the eligibility. Now the head coach of the last 12 seasons and a program of the program for 21 have also disappeared.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for Eric and his family,” said Edwards in a text. “I appreciate everything he has done for our basketball program, UC San Diego Athletics and the university over the years. I know he will do new-mexic. ”
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