New Mexico 2024 Season Preview
Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall and the 2024 Season Outlook
With 17 years of experience in college football, Bronco Mendenhall, the new head coach of the New Mexico Lobos, will be the 33rd head Lobo football coach coming into this season for 2024.
Mendenhall is no stranger to Albuquerque or UNM, having served as the defensive coordinator and associate head coach for the Lobos under Rocky Long from 1998 to 2002.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success. In 16 of his 17 seasons, he has led his teams to bowl eligibility. He has a history of turning around struggling programs at both BYU & Virginia.
AD Eddie Nunez introduced him to the local media, former players, and current UNM coaches at his press conference last December in the PIT in Albuquerque.
He expressed his enthusiasm for taking on the challenge of “up-and-coming programs,” if there ever were a program fitting that description, it would be New Mexico.
As someone who has been deeply connected to this football program since 1999—as a lifelong fan, a Lobo dad (my son played with former head coach Danny Gonzales under Dennis Franchione and Rocky Long), a volunteer FCA chaplain, and now a media writer for MW Wire—I can confidently say I’ve witnessed all aspects of UNM Lobo football.
I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. But I’ve also experienced the golden era under Rocky Long when the program won games and secured a bowl victory for the first time in 40 years, with consistent wins in the conference.
Watching all the Lobo head coaches, from Dennis Franchione, Rocky Long, Mike Locksley, Bob Davie, and Danny Gonzales as head coaches, you learn a little bit from each of them and know the challenges that await them.
Bronco seems to fit all the boxes regarding the proven template to revive, as he says, “Up and Coming Programs.”
The current players have expressed to me how excited they are to play under him and see success. It’s evident to me after speaking to them that they have bought into their head coach.
The future looks promising, and the excitement is palpable as we embark on this new chapter in this NCAA D1 Program competing in the Mountain West Conference.
Bronco Mendenhall is old school from the Rocky Long coaching tree as an assistant in the past but proved himself at both BYU & Virginia.
He was part of that golden Rocky Long head-coached era when New Mexico was one of the most physical teams in the conference and then succeeded at BYU & Virginia.
His old school model, “Earned Not Given,” certainly goes against the “what can you do for me athletes of this transfer portal era.”
If you speak to the players, they love this culture of having to earn their numbers just two days ago.
When asked at a recent press conference, Quarterback Devon Dampier said, “Coach Mendenhall is a great coach to bring in 60 new players, and we have that bond already.”
“We have a high standard, and so many players have bought into what Coach is doing here at New Mexico.”
I like the Earned not-given slogan the most; it gives you great feedback on who you are as a person; it’s more rewarding to earn something, not just having it given to you.”
This year, the Lobos face a challenging non-league schedule with games against Auburn, Arizona, and Washington State.
However, they will benefit from not facing the top three teams from last year’s Mountain West standings: Boise State, UNLV, and San José State.
The performance of the offensive and defensive lines will be crucial in determining whether Mendenhall’s return to coaching after a two-year hiatus will lead the Lobos to another bowl game.
New Mexico’s Offense 2024 under Offensive Coordinator Jason Beck
The Lobos’ new coaching staff is confident in their quarterback situation. After a strong spring performance, Devon Dampier has stepped up as the clear QB1.
Last season, Dampier completed 63% of his passes for 525 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions while rushing for 328 yards and four touchdowns over nine games.
Andrew Henry returns as the top running back, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Transfers Javen Jacobs (Arizona State) and Eli Sanders (Iowa State) will bolster the backfield.
The wide receiver corps looks solid, led by Caleb Medford, who emerged as the go-to receiver by the end of last season.
Ryan Davis will fill the slot position, and Luke Wysong, returning from injury, is expected to be a significant contributor.
Tight end Trace Bruckler will be another key target for Dampier. After all five starters depart, the offensive line must be rebuilt through graduation or the transfer portal.
New Mexico’s Defense for 2024 Defensive Coordinator Nick Howell
The defensive line, which struggled last season, needs improvement. Senior Kyler Drake, capable of playing both on the edge and the interior, will lead the front.
Former Washington State transfer Gabriel Lopez showed promise in the spring, and Bryce Santana & former UCLA Bruin transfer Tyler Kiehnne will be pivotal in improving a run defense that ranked No. 106 nationally last season.
Dimitri Johnson will act as the defensive quarterback at linebacker, supported by Mihalis Santorineos and Cal transfer Moso Tuitele.
The secondary is expected to be the strength of the defense, headlined by all-league candidate Tavian Combs. Safety Christian Ellis has also impressed the new staff.
This combo could be very effective with Tavian Combs, who is quick to read offenses, and closing speed combing with Ellis, who showed a spirit of greatness last year for former Lobo Danny Gonzales’s defense.
The deep cornerback group features San Diego State transfer Noah Avinger, Edward Blacklock, Bobby Arnold III, and Nigel Williams.
One of the most exciting new additions to the team is Pitt transfer Jahvante Royal, who’s already making a significant impact as the starting boundary corner.
“Jahvante is really showing out,” said teammate Arnold. “He’s a big 6-foot-4 guy, and you just can’t teach that kind of height.
Plus, he’s incredibly fast—people don’t realize how fast he is. He’s got a 4.2-second 40-yard dash time.
Knowing he’s that fast and that big is fantastic because opponents just can’t run around him—he’s too big and too quick.”
Get ready to see Royal dominate the field and make it tough for any receiver to get past him! (Courtesy of Sean Reider, Albuquerque Journal)
Special Teams Special Teams Coordinator Shane Hunter
Kicker Luke Drzewiecki made 10 of 14 field goals last season, including 2 of 5 from beyond 40 yards, and missed only one extra point.
Punter Aaron Rodriguez averaged 42.4 yards per punt, with 14 kicks of 50-plus yards. Luke Wysong will handle return duties.
With strong leadership from Mendenhall and promising talent on both sides of the ball, New Mexico is poised to make a competitive run in the 2024 season.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall has to work with a core amount of talent left over from former head coach Danny Gonzales (now at Arizona).
Now combine that with 60 new players and a new, disciplined, proven system.
When one looks at Bronco Mendenhall’s history, the Lobos should make some noise this year despite the strength of their schedule in the Mountain West Conference.
