Ryan Berryman, a 32-year-old New Mexico native, has been selected as the University of New Mexico’s director of athletics.
Berryman’s ties to the university run deep. As a young boy, he attended basketball camps at the University of New Mexico. He also worked as a student manager for the Lobo men’s basketball team.
Before graduating, Berryman was also an ace student in UNM’s Anderson School of Management, the school’s governor-appointed student regent, and the Lobos director of basketball operations.
Berryman’s Appointment and Vision
Berryman is one of the youngest ADs among the 136 Football Bowl Subdivision-level programmes across the country.
The university made the announcement with a social media post featuring a video of Berryman at Bob King Court. Berryman stated, “As a kid from the East Mountains, New Mexico has shaped everything I am today. There is no place like home. And we must continue to share the power of this place with the world. It is the honour of my lifetime to serve as your next athletic director at the University of New Mexico. Go Lobos!”
UNM President Garnett S. Stokes made the choice after a two-month national search assisted by Parker Executive Search.
Berryman has signed a five-year deal.
Stokes said, “This search confirmed what Lobo Athletics has in Ryan Berryman. He was evaluated against an outstanding field of candidates, and he stood above them. His vision for this department, his proven ability to execute, and the trust he has already built here made this decision clear. We are fortunate that the right person for this job is already a Lobo.”
Succession and Recent History
Berryman, who has been serving as interim AD since January, will succeed Fernando Lovo. Lovo left in late December to take over the same position at the Big 12’s University of Colorado.
Lovo took over from Eddie Nuñez. Berryman worked under Nuñez as a senior associate AD and chief operating officer before Nuñez’s departure for the Big Ten’s University of Washington in August 2024 after 12 years at UNM.
One of Lovo’s first moves was to bring back Berryman, hiring him as deputy AD and chief operations officer.
Looking Ahead for the Lobos
Berryman stated, “I have watched this department grow through some hard years and some remarkable ones, and I believe with everything I have that the best days are ahead. We are going to build something here that this entire state is proud of — in competition, in the classroom, and in this community. I can’t wait to get back to work!”
Over the past year and a half, the hiring and success of first-year football coach Jason Eck and the hiring and success of first-year men’s basketball coach Eric Olen has invigorated Lobo fans. UNM track and cross country stars have also collected more national championships.