Vandal coach Eck takes New Mexico job
Jason Eck
By MARK NELKE
Sports editor
Idaho football coach Jason Eck, who returned the Vandals to FCS prominence in his three seasons in Moscow, is leaving Idaho to take over as head coach at New Mexico, officials at both schools announced.
Eck has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with New Mexico.
“I am truly humbled to be selected as the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos,” Eck said in a New Mexico news release. “I know that the university community, students, alumni, Lobo Nation and greater Albuquerque and New Mexico communities are eager for success and I cannot wait to give that to them. We will have tremendous coaches and support staff and develop our student-athletes into elite athletes, UNM graduates and people. My wife, Kimberly, and our five children are thrilled to be a part of Albuquerque and we are ready to go.”
“I am thrilled to have Jason Eck as our next head football coach,” New Mexico athletic director Fernando Lovo said in the news release. “Jason has led Idaho to tremendous success, turning around the program and building upon success year after year, through recruiting, teaching and a strong culture. Throughout his career, he has been a part of winning programs at all levels of college football and his passion for student-athlete success and well-being is evident. We are fortunate to have Jason and his family join the Lobos and I am confident that he will take us to unprecedented heights.”
Eck, 47, went 26-13 in his three seasons at Idaho, guiding the Vandals to the FCS playoffs each season.
"We are grateful for everything that Jason has done to elevate Vandal football, Idaho Athletics, The University of Idaho, our community and state," Idaho athletic director Terry Gawlik said in a university news release. "We wish Jason, Kimberly and the entire Eck family the best of luck. Jason took over a struggling team and built a culture, and brought excitement and winning back to the dome immediately. We now look to the future to find the next leader of the Vandal football program. The foundation for success has been laid and we will look to the future with the goals of winning Big Sky and national championships."
Idaho bowed out in the first round in 2022, then reached the quarterfinals each of the past two seasons.
The Vandals finished 10-4 this season, falling 52-19 at Montana State on Friday night.
Prior to Eck’s arrival, Idaho had not reached the FCS playoffs since returning to the Big Sky Conference in 2018 after 22 seasons at the FBS level.
The Vandals were a fixture in the FCS playoffs in the 1980s and early 90s, reaching the semifinals in 1988 and ‘93.
Prior to coming to Idaho Eck, who played at Wisconsin, was assistant coach at South Dakota State for six seasons, the final three as offensive coordinator.
He went 7-5 and 9-4 his first two years in Moscow. He was an assistant coach for the Vandals from 2004-06.
Eck signed a five-year contract when he was hired at Idaho. He was given a two-year extension earlier this year, through the 2028 season.
His contract called for an annual salary of $175,000, with incentives that could boost his pay to $462,000.
His buyout is $525,000.
New Mexico finished 5-7 this past season under Bronco Mendenhall, who left after one season to coach Utah State. The Lobos have had eight straight losing seasons, and star quarterback Devon Dampier entered the transfer portal.