Men’s Golf Coach Jake Harrington Agrees to New Five-Year Deal – New Mexico Lobos
University of New Mexico Head Men’s Golf Coach Jake Harrington has signed a five-year contract extension through the 2030-31 season, according to Vice President/Director of Athletics Ryan Berryman. Harrington, the 2023-24 Mountain West Coach of the Year, recently led the Lobos to a No. 26 national ranking, the program’s highest year-end finish in over a decade.
Berryman stated the extension follows Harrington’s efforts to elevate the program, noting that the team has represented UNM in the NCAA Tournament every year since the coach’s arrival. Berryman added that Harrington “joins the Real Ones club” by reaffirming his commitment to the university.
During his first three seasons in Albuquerque, Harrington led the Lobos to two NCAA Championship appearances and three NCAA Regionals. The program secured four team titles and seven individual titles under his leadership, reaching a top-30 national ranking twice.
The most recent season saw New Mexico win both The Wohali and the ASU Thunderbird Collegiate. According to university data, the team produced four individual winners for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Harrington also mentored eight All-Mountain West selections, including All-Americans Mesa Falleur and Bastien Amat.
Why does this contract extension matter for UNM?
The extension secures a coach with a consistent history of improving program rankings across multiple levels of collegiate golf. Before arriving at New Mexico, Harrington spent 10 years at Little Rock, where he took a program ranked in the 200s and built it into a top-50 team.
At Little Rock, Harrington led the Trojans to three consecutive NCAA regional appearances from 2021-23 and the program’s first NCAA Championship in 2021. His tenure there included Sun Belt Conference and Ohio Valley Conference titles in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Harrington’s earlier career at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix included three NJCAA Division II National Championships in 2010, 2012, and 2013. He earned the Dave Williams National Coach of the Year award twice and was named the GCAA Western United States Coach of the Year for six consecutive seasons from 2008-13.
What happens next for the Lobos golf program?
With Harrington under contract for five more years, the program may focus on maintaining its status as a top-30 national contender. The team could look to build on its recent No. 26 ranking to secure higher seedings in NCAA Regionals.
Harrington stated he looks forward to continuing to build on current success to make “Lobo Nation” proud. A possible next step for the program is continuing the development of All-American talent to compete for national championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Jake Harrington’s new contract?
The contract is a five-year extension that keeps Harrington as head coach through the 2030-31 season.
What is the highest year-end ranking UNM has achieved under Harrington?
The Lobos finished the most recent season ranked No. 26 nationally, their highest year-end ranking in over a decade.
Which awards has Jake Harrington won during his career?
Harrington was the 2023-24 Mountain West Coach of the Year, a two-time Dave Williams National Coach of the Year (2010, 2012), and a four-time ACCAC Coach of the Year (2009, 2011-13).
How do you think long-term coaching stability affects a college sports program’s ability to recruit top talent?