HOUSTON, Dec. 2, 2025 — University of New Mexico head football coach Jason Eck has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week after the Lobos’ 23-17, double-overtime win over San Diego State.
The win propelled the Lobos into a four-way tie for first in the Mountain West Conference’s regular-season standings alongside Boise State, San Diego State, and UNLV. The Lobos will advance to the postseason in a bowl game to be determined – the first bowl for UNM in ten years.
After the game, Eck inked a new five-year extension to remain at the helm of the New Mexico football program.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
After a fumble in the first overtime sent the game into a second, UNM made the most of its opportunity, as Jack Layne connected with Cade Keith on a stretching, one-handed catch to take a 23-17 lead. On the ensuing SDSU possession, the New Mexico defense stood firm, not allowing the Aztecs inside the 10-yard line.
The win secured UNM’s first six-win conference season since 2016 and preserved a perfect 6-0 home record. The nine wins by UNM this season are tied for second in program history, and the Lobos are just one win shy of tying the program’s all-time record of 10, set during the 1982 season.
Eck’s selection follows last week’s selection of Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi and previous selections of Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire, NC State’s Dave Doeren, Houston’s Willie Fritz, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, UCLA’s Tim Skipper, Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Syracuse’s Fran Brown, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, USF’s Alex Golesh and Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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