“It’s a great day for Lobo Basketball and for everyone who loves our program and our University,” said athletic director Eddie Nunez in a statement on Tuesday.
Nunez was referring to his hiring of Richard Pitino to be the next New Mexico Lobos head basketball coach, replacing Paul Weir, whom UNM parted with following the end of the season last week.
Pitino, 38, the son of Iona coach, and former Kentucky and Louisville coach, Rick Pitino, spent the last eight seasons as the head coach at Minnesota, accruing a record of 141-123, while going 54-96 in the Big Ten.