What UNM's new football assistants are set to make -- and how it compares to previous compensation
Jan. 7—Bronco Mendenhall's guaranteed five-year, $6 million deal to coach at New Mexico — with a list of substantial incentives — made him the highest-paid public employee in the state of New Mexico.
But what about his staff?
With contracts available via UNM's website, UNM's 10 on-field assistants are set to make a combined $1.8 million throughout their first season. UNM Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez has previously said the assistant salary pool under Mendenhall did not increase; the Lobos' previous coaching staff under head coach Danny Gonzales made $1,910,000 in 2023.
A look at the compensation and the adjustments made:
Jason Beck (offensive coordinator)
Compensation: $400,000/year; contract runs from Feb. 1, 2024 to Feb. 28, 2026
Comparison: Former offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent made $350,000 per year on a two-year deal last season. Vincent is now the head coach at University of Louisiana-Monroe.
Nick Howell (defensive coordinator)
Compensation: $400,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Troy Reffett made $300,000 last season after being elevated to take on coordinator duties in the wake of Rocky Long's departure.
Shane Hunter (special teams coordinator, linebackers)
Compensation: $200,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former special teams coordinator Jamie Christian made $195,000 while linebackers coach Jake Rothschiller made $100,000 in 2023.
Famika Anae (offensive line)
Compensation: $125,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former offensive line coach Cam Blankenship made $170,000 last season.
Kirk Garner (running backs)
Compensation: $100,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former running backs coach Heath Ridenour made $150,000 last season.
Matt Johns (tight ends)
Compensation: $125,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former tight ends coach Joe Scelfo made $170,000 last season.
Jan Jorgensen (defensive ends)
Compensation: $125,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: UNM did not have a defensive ends coach in 2023.
Charles Mack (defensive backs)
Compensation: $100,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: UNM split defensive backs coaching roles in 2023, with former safeties coach David Howes making $165,000 and the aforementioned Reffett, the former defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach, earning $300,000.
Micah Simon (wide receivers)
Compensation: $100,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former wide receivers coach Cornelius Williams made $190,000 last season.
Donte Wilkins (defensive line)
Compensation: $125,000/year; contract runs from Dec. 13, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2025
Comparison: Former defensive line coach Jerome Haywood made $120,000 last season.
