New Mexico hired Idaho football coach Jason Eck on Saturday to replace Bronco Mendenhall, a day after Eck's Vandals dropped out of the FCS playoffs.
The deal is for five years, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Eck has been a successful FCS head coach, as he's 26-13 in three years at Idaho. He reached the FCS playoffs all three years there, including reaching the quarterfinals the past two years.
It marked a distinct turnaround at Idaho, as it had just two winning seasons in the 22 years prior to Eck's arrival. His work there appealed to New Mexico officials, according to sources.
"I am truly humbled to be selected as the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos," Eck said. "I know that the university community, students, alumni, Lobo Nation and greater Albuquerque and New Mexico communities are eager for success and I cannot wait to give that to them."
He'll replace Mendenhall, who left New Mexico after just one season. The Lobos went 5-7 under Mendenhall, and many of the program's key players entered the NCAA transfer portal, including quarterback Devon Dampier.
"I am thrilled to have Jason Eck as our next head football coach," New Mexico athletic director Fernando Lovo said. "Jason has led Idaho to tremendous success, turning around the program and building upon success year after year, through recruiting, teaching and a strong culture."
Eck takes over a difficult situation with a depleted roster. The program hasn't reached a bowl game since 2016.
Eck is a former Wisconsin offensive lineman, who has coached at schools from Ball State to Montana State to South Dakota State.
He was working as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at South Dakota State before taking over at Idaho in 2022.
Eck is the first major hire for Lovo, who was hired in early December.
ESPN's Pete Thamel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.