Conflicting reports have surfaced around Fernando Lovo, the current athletics director at New Mexico, who is reportedly the front-runner for the same position with the Colorado Buffaloes. On Saturday night, Colorado DNVR podcaster Ryan Koenigsberg shared on socials that the Buffaloes had landed Lovo to lead the Buffaloes athletics department.
However, later on Saturday night, Albuquerque KRQE anchor Jessica Garate shared a statement from the University of New Mexico, sharing that while they are aware of reports regarding potential opportunities for Lovo, “At this time, no final decisions have been made and no changes to leadership have occurred.”
It was announced last month that Rick George would be stepping down following the 2025-26 academic year. George has been the AD in Boulder since 2013, returning to the school where he once served on Bill McCartney’s staff as the recruiting coordinator and assistant athletic director for football operations. This coincided with Colorado’s only national title in 1990.
Meantime, Fernando Lovo joined New Mexico as the University’s 14th Vice President and Director of Athletics in December 2024. Lovo came to UNM from the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Operations.
Lovo’s background in collegiate athletics administration includes roles at the University of Texas, Ohio State University, and the University of Houston, as well as a stint with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
We’ll see if Lovo ends up in Boulder, or if the Lobos can figure out a way to keep him in the role.
