When the Aztecs fell to the Lobos last Friday in their double-OT thriller, it was perhaps the most exciting game of the Mountain West conference season. A raucous atmosphere between two teams who all season long were crashing the championship party of sorts .
New Mexico under first year head coach Jason Eck, took over a Lobos program that one year ago saw their brief improvement under then coach Bronco Mendenhall stripped away. Bronco took over the same position at soon to be conference mate no more Utah State.
The Aztecs in Sean Lewis’ 2nd year, had totally eclipsed their 3-9 2024 campaign to largely hold control over the 2025 Mountain West. With a nationally ranked defense and a grind it out offense, his team was needing just one win on the road in the ABQ to complete their ‘unfinished business’ hopes.
But this was not your ordinary season in the Mountain West with San Diego State, New Mexico, Boise State, and UNLV all grid-locked in a four place tie for the top spot. As we all know now the championship game was decided Boise State vs UNLV for the third time in a row—in what all conference mates had voted to be the final decider, the metrics.
So on Sunday afternoon, just a few short hours after the conference officially released their computerized championship tiebreaker announcement, SDSU head coach Sean Lewis released the following statement:
While we fell short of earning a spot in the Mountain West championship game, I could not be more proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. Together we’ve delivered a tremendous 9-3 season, including a perfect 6-0 record at snapdragon stadium. What this team has accomplished is truly impressive. now we have an incredible opportunity ahead. We’ve earned a chance to compete in a bowl game and bring home a tenth win of the season. Our program is built on being focused, accountable, smart and tough and this year has shown exactly what Aztec football stands for.
Signed, proud to lead, humbled to serve.
Falling short was a tough and bitter pill to swallow for the young Aztecs football coach. Such a complete turnaround this season should be celebrated—and it will. But as tough as it is in this current state of disappointment the beat goes on.
For weeks Lewis’ success as head coach had carried his name towards other head coaching vacancies around the nation. Most notably right up the 5 freeway to that of UCLA of the now Big Ten conference.
Rumors have it that there has been contact, but just released this morning by Pete Thamel of ESPN, UCLA is setting their sights on James Madison head coach Bob Chesney.
Despite the love coming Lewis’ way, UCLA would’ve been a terrible job—for him. Though they will be getting perhaps a slight uptick by moving into the new SoFi Stadium very soon, the competition and cultural differences between Westwood and the midwest make it almost impossible to gain any relevancy out there.
Add in the monetary factors like value of programs and lack of spending the Bruins appear to have in their football program—when aligned with other B1G Ten schools, the opportunity for success just isn’t as alluring as it used to be when connected in the Pac-12.
No other real candidates to speak of for Lewis’ services away from the Montezuma Mesa at this point. With the December 3rd early signing period from high school recruits quickly approaching, it will be imperative to have a firm recommitment from Lewis and staff.
Though this official statement/tweet does speak of the bowl game, this will have to do until that Wednesday afternoon comes and goes. Though in this world of collegiate sports these days, will anything surprise us at this point? Stay tuned.
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