In an era when athletic departments nationwide often seek high-profile external hires, the best option is sometimes already within the organization and in this writers opinion this is the case with Ryan Berryman.
The University of New Mexico announced that interim athletic director Ryan Berryman, who stepped into the role within UNM Athletics following Fernando Lovo’s departure to the University of Colorado last December, is now taking the head role in the athletic department.
Berryman didn’t arrive
in Albuquerque with a flashy press conference or a résumé from elsewhere. He worked his way up through UNM Athletics — from the laundry room to the boardroom, as he says, talk about humble beginnings.
The more you learn about his journey, the more you respect it. It’s one of those stories about someone who paid his dues, worked tirelessly, and earned every step forward, not with sharp elbows but old fashioned sweat equity.
During a time of significant change in college sports, that type of institutional knowledge, local insight, and stable leadership might be exactly what the Lobos need coming into this new era of NIL & Transfer portals in college athletics.
From a distance, I’ve watched him after Lobo games, and the way staff members respond to him speaks volumes. Leadership, at its core, is about influence — and the right kind of influence fosters trust, not uncertainty.
Ryan Berryman & Van Tate courtesy of KRKE Sports
Experience That Matters
Before being promoted to Interim Vice President/Director of Athletics, Berryman served as Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer, managing the department’s internal operations.
His responsibilities included managing the athletics budget, long-term financial planning, human resources, procurement, equipment operations, licensing and trademarks, merchandising, Nike contract administration, legislative strategy, legal affairs, contracts, and team travel.
He also served as UNM’s liaison to the Mountain West Conference and was the sport administrator for men’s basketball and women’s soccer.
Berryman played a crucial role in hiring head coaches Eric Olen (UNM Mens Basketball) and Karley Nelson (UNM Womens Soccer) influencing the department’s competitive direction.
When I asked him about his leadership philosophy, he didn’t hesitate:
“I certainly subscribe to a servant leadership approach. I think my experience starting in the laundry room and working my way up to the boardroom certainly lends itself to this style of leadership.”
Photo Courtesy of BernCounty
“I feel I can relate to staff throughout every layer of the organization, given my experiences. It is my job to serve our student-athletes, staff, and coaches in their pursuit of championships.”
“If I need to be behind the scenes, chipping away at something to contribute to that cause, then I will be there.”
“If I need to be out front of something, then you’ll find me there. My job as the leader of this department is to support our mission of providing a holistic student-athlete experience and pursuing championships in all sports.”
Why Continuity Matters Now
In today’s rapidly evolving college athletics landscape — driven by NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment, and frequent leadership shifts — stability isn’t a luxury; it’s a competitive advantage.
Programs that preserve focus and progress during transitions often help avoid setbacks associated with starting anew, which is why continuity is so important for maintaining stability.
For UNM, stability at the top isn’t about comfort. It’s about protecting progress, maintaining trust, and building on one of the most successful periods in recent memory.
For the life long Lobo fans, they remember that it wasn’t that long whenUNM Athletics faced instability and uncertainty, which worried longtime Lobo fans.
The department’s current progress is providing renewed encouragement for Lobo Nation — evident in increased activity at the ticket office, stronger fan involvement, and a growing sense of positivity surrounding the Athletics Department as a whole.
Berryman’s UNM Roots
Before taking on the interim role, Berryman was UNM’s Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer, managing the department’s financial strategy, legal affairs, legislative planning, contracts, and daily functions.
He worked closely with the Mountain West Conference, served as the sport administrator for men’s basketball and women’s soccer, and played a key role in important coaching hires.
Berryman, a three-time graduate of the University of New Mexico and a former student regent appointed to the Board of Regents, understands the institution from all angles — governance, academics, athletics, and state politics.
From student manager on championship basketball teams to senior administrator overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, his progression reflects experience, loyalty, and deep institutional knowledge — the kind of foundation that justifies removing the interim label.
He is extremely well liked and respected among his peers and those in know in Albuquerque, from the local churches to bar rooms, this guy is highly respected. That speaks volumes of his character.
Maintaining Momentum in a Pivotal Moment
Since assuming the interim role, Berryman’s focus has been clear: to safeguard and strengthen the department’s momentum.
“Change is always challenging,” Berryman said. “I’ve made it a priority to minimize the impacts of change that our staff and student-athletes may feel.”
That steadiness has been essential. January brought not only a leadership transition but also the beginning of the legislative session in Santa Fe — a critical period for a department that depends on strong state partnerships.
Berryman spent significant time at the Roundhouse promoting UNM Athletics, especially the University Stadium plan, highlighting the department’s long-term goals and the need for state support.
This is where going local truly makes a difference. An outsider might spend months trying to understand New Mexico’s political scene. Berryman already understands it — and has connections there.
video courtesy of Couch Potato Sports CPS
A Department at an Inflection Point
Berryman describes UNM Athletics as being at a “pivotal inflection point.” He’s correct.
College sports have evolved significantly — with conference realignment, NIL, and revenue sharing. Programs everywhere are adjusting rapidly in the ever changing college sports environment.
Yet amid that change, the Lobos have prospered.
Credit is certainly well deserved, including for outgoing President Garnett Stokes, who has played a pivotal role in positioning UNM Athletics for success. Her steadfast support of the department has made a significant difference.
UNM led the Mountain West Conference in conference championships last academic year. The department celebrated an individual national cross-country champion.
The Lobos finished the fall ranked in the top 25 of the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings — a clear sign of overall excellence.
Perhaps most notably, both football and men’s basketball competed for conference championships in the same year — a rarity in the program’s history.
The Local Case
National searches can bring fresh ideas. But they can also create disruption and cultural reset at a time when continuity may be more valuable.
At UNM, the foundation is solid:
• Competitive success across multiple sports
• Financial stability
• Rebuilt public trust
• Strong state relationships
• Growing NIL infrastructure
Why interrupt that momentum?
Berryman’s message to Lobo fans is clear:
“While college athletics is changing rapidly,” he said, “we must always prioritize what this department does for our student-athletes and for our New Mexico community.”
UNM Athletics is not simply an administrative post — it is interwoven with the identity, pride, and spirit of the entire state.
Sometimes the wisest decision isn’t the most recognizable name or the splashiest headline. Sometimes it’s not the high-profile hire who departs after a few years for the next opportunity. Instead, it’s the leader who sees New Mexico as home — who has no desire to leave, who genuinely loves this program, its coaches, and its student-athletes.
That leader is Ryan Berryman in this writers opinion. And now it is official.
