Former UVA Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall Hired at New Mexico

A little over two years after his shocking resignation from his post as Virginia's head football coach, Bronco Mendenhall is making his return to the college football world. Mendenhall was hired as the next head coach of the New Mexico football program, New Mexico Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez announced on Wednesday. This will be Mendenhall's second stint in Albuquerque, as he served as the defensive coordinator and associate head coach at New Mexico from 1998-2002. 

“After 25 years, Holly and I are excited to be returning to Albuquerque where we have many fond memories,” Mendenhall said. “We welcome the challenge and opportunity of building a program of excellence. We are excited to get to know the players, assemble a world-class group of people, immerse ourselves in the community and truly make a difference at UNM.”

Mendenhall spent six seasons as the head coach at UVA, leading the Cavaliers to a 36-38 overall record and bowl eligibility in each of his final five seasons in Charlottesville. On the day he stepped down, Mendenhall said, "...there was a sense of clarity to me that I needed to step back from college football and reassess, renew, reframe and reinvent, with my wife as a partner, our future and the next chapter of our lives.”

Mendenhall made it clear that he didn't see the move as a retirement from the coaching profession, but rather a "stepping back" from the sport after spending 31-straight years as a coach. Now, Mendenhall is back at the helm of a college football team, looking to replicate his success as BYU and Virginia in rebuilding a struggling program. 

“We are excited to welcome Bronco Mendenhall as our new head football coach,” said New Mexico Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez. “Throughout this process, we were looking for not just a proven winner, but a leader of men that has a clear vision for what our program can be. Coach Mendenhall has twice taken over programs that were struggling, turning them into winning, championship programs. I look forward to having Bronco and Holly here and becoming assets for our great community and leading Lobo Football.”

Subscribe to the Cavaliers Now Newsletter to receive UVA sports news in your inbox first thing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.