The University of New Mexico has made headlines during the college football awards season, with head coach Jason Eck being named the Mountain West Conference’s Coach of the Year. In a notable achievement, his son, linebacker Jaxton Eck, shared the Defensive Player of the Year honors with Chris Johnson from San Diego State. This marks a historic moment in NCAA Division I history, believed to be the first instance of a father and son winning the top coaching and defensive awards in the same season.
While other father-son duos have achieved accolades in college football, such as Deion Sanders and his son Shedeur at Jackson State, and Rick Stockstill and Brent at Middle Tennessee State, the Ecks’ accomplishments stand out. Coach Eck is the first Lobos coach to receive this honor since Rocky Long in 2002.
The Lobos have seen a transformative season under Eck’s leadership, achieving a commendable record of 9-3 and securing a share of first place in the Mountain West. The team is set to compete in the New Mexico Bowl on December 27, 2023, against a representative from Conference USA. Coach Eck’s rebuilding efforts are particularly impressive, considering that over 70 players were added to the active roster in the past year.
Recognition for Team Achievements
The Lobos’ success is reflected in the individual honors received by several players. Alongside Jaxton Eck’s Defensive Player of the Year recognition, edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby was named to the first-team defense after leading the team with eight sacks and two forced fumbles. On the offensive side, tight end Dorian Thomas, who recorded 53 catches for 545 yards and four touchdowns, also earned first-team recognition.
Other notable mentions include offensive lineman Kaden Robnett, who was selected for the second team, and Damon Bankston, named the league’s top kick returner after averaging 30.4 yards with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Additional Lobos receiving honorable mentions include defensive lineman Brian Booker, kicker Luke Drzewiecki, punter Daniel Hughes, receiver Keagan Johnson, and defensive end Brett Karhu. Drzewiecki holds the record as the top-scoring kicker in UNM history, while Hughes has gained popularity on social media for his engaging posts as an Australian-born kicker.
Jaxton Eck, following his father’s footsteps after transferring from Idaho, has emerged as a standout player, leading the Lobos in tackles with 126. He also recorded a safety and executed a successful pass during a fake punt. His Defensive Player of the Year award is the first for a Lobo since Johnny Jackson in 1982, a year when UNM achieved its only ten-win season.
Mountain West Conference Landscape
In the past twelve years, ten different schools have been recognized with the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year award, with Air Force and Nevada being the only exceptions. Notably, Rocky Long remains the only coach to have won this award three times, while Urban Meyer and Sonny Lubick are among the other two-time winners. Coach Eck is now the sixth Lobos coach to receive a conference award, following a strong legacy that includes Dudley DeGroot and Marv Levy.
As the Lobos prepare for their bowl game, the momentum generated this season under Coach Eck is significant. His leadership not only revitalized the team but also established a unique legacy within the sport, demonstrating the potential for family ties to intersect with athletic achievement. With their upcoming bowl match, the Lobos have the opportunity to match the historic ten-win record, adding to an already remarkable season.
