Fernando Lovo
| File:FLUNM.jpg | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Vice President and Director of Athletics |
| Team | New Mexico |
| Conference | Mountain West Conference |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | 1988 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Florida (BA, MS) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2012–2015 | University of Florida (football operations coordinator) |
| 2015–2016 | University of Houston (assistant AD for football operations) |
| 2016–2021 | Texas (chief of staff, football) |
| 2021 | Jacksonville Jaguars (chief of staff) |
| 2021–2024 | Texas (senior/executive senior associate AD) |
| 2024–present | New Mexico (Vice President and Director of Athletics) |
Fernando "Fern" Lovo is an American college athletics administrator who currently serves as the Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of New Mexico. He was named the 14th athletic director in UNM history in December 2024.
Career
Lovo joined UNM from the University of Texas at Austin, where he held multiple senior leadership roles in the athletics department, culminating in his position as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Operations. In that role, Lovo was responsible for over $500 million in capital projects and served as the sport administrator for men’s basketball and men’s and women’s tennis.
Before his time at Texas, Lovo worked in the NFL as Chief of Staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. His first stint with Texas spanned from 2016 to 2021, where he was Chief of Staff for Football under then-head coach Tom Herman.
Lovo began his career in college athletics at the University of Florida, working in football operations from 2012 to 2015. He then spent two years at the University of Houston as Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations, where he helped the program achieve a 22–5 record and laid the foundation for Houston’s eventual move to the Big 12 Conference.
UNM Athletics
As [[UNM Athletic Director, Lovo oversees all aspects of the university's NCAA Division I athletics programs, including financial operations, compliance, facilities, fundraising, and community engagement. Upon his hiring, he stated his intention to “foster an environment where our programs can thrive, and our student-athletes can excel in all aspects of their lives.”
Lovo became just the fourth person to hold the role of athletic director at UNM in the past 32 years.
Athletic Director Career
As athletic director at UNM, Lovo quickly made key coaching hires to strengthen the university's athletic programs. Just one week after being hired in December 2024, he appointed Jason Eck as the new head football coach. Eck, who had previously led the The University of Idaho to three consecutive FCS playoff appearances, was tasked with revitalizing the Lobos' football program.
In March 2025, following Richard Pitino's departure to become the head coach at Xavier University, Lovo hired Eric Olen as the new head men's basketball coach. Olen, who had been the head coach at UC San Diego since 2013, led the Tritons through a successful transition to Division I basketball, culminating in an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025.
These strategic hires demonstrated Lovo's commitment to enhancing UNM's athletic programs and his proactive approach to building competitive teams across various sports.
Personal life
Birthplace and Education Fernando Lovo was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended the University of Florida, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science and a Master of Science in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
Family He and his wife, Jordan, have two children, Liam and Layla.
References
- "Fernando Lovo – Vice President/Director of Athletics". GoLobos.com. University of New Mexico Athletics. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- "University of New Mexico names Fernando Lovo as new Vice President and Director of Athletics". UNM Newsroom. December 19, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- "Fernando Lovo takes over UNM athletics program as new athletic director". KRQE News 13. December 19, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- "New Mexico announces Fernando Lovo as new Vice President and Director of Athletics". Mountain West Wire. November 25, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- "Fernando Lovo named UNM athletic director". Albuquerque Journal. December 19, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
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