LAS VEGAS, N.V. (KRQE) – The 2025 Mountain West conference football media days came to a close on Thursday from Las Vegas, Nevada. All coaches from the 12-member schools spoke. Jason Eck is entering his first season at New Mexico following a successful stint at Idaho in the same role. Other coaches from around the […]
LAS VEGAS, N.V. (KRQE) – The 2025 Mountain West conference football media days came to a close on Thursday from Las Vegas, Nevada. All coaches from the 12-member schools spoke.
Jason Eck is entering his first season at New Mexico following a successful stint at Idaho in the same role. Other coaches from around the league complimented on his success at the FCS level and believe it can translate to the Mountain West.
“Just very excited to get into this first season and get a chance to compete is such a great conference with so many great opponents and so many great coaches,” said Eck.
Eck replaced Bronco Mendenhall, who accepted the same role at Utah State.
Mendenhall, who has strong family ties to Utah, said that was the main reason for his departure from UNM. Both of his sons, all of his brothers, and his 94-year-old mother, who recently went into hospice, all reside in Utah.
“I’ve always treated and worked to view my players as if they’re family and ultimately this was choosing between two families,” said Mendenahll. “My hope was the players would understand that.”
Now, Mendenhall and Utah State will play against UNM in Albuquerque in October.
“I would rather not play the game, and I would rather not go,” he said.
Playing against players that he used to coach is something that Mendenhall is not looking forward to. When speaking about the relationship he built with the Lobos, Mendenhall became visibly emotional. He also said that speaking with UNM players Richard Pearce and Gabe Lopez in Las Vegas was the highlight of the entire trip.
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