New Mexico has hired UC San Diego’s Eric Olen as its next basketball coach. Olen will replace Richard Pitino, who left to become Xavier’s coach on Tuesday.

Eric Olen has been hired as the new men's basketball coach at New Mexico, leaving UC San Diego after five seasons. He takes over for Richard Pitino, who left Albuquerque to take the opening at Xavier last week.

The architect of UC San Diego’s magical basketball season that came within a rimmed-out 3-pointer from taking mighty Michigan to overtime in the NCAA Tournament has been hired by New Mexico. The Union-Tribune reported Saturday that he was a finalist for the job, and the Albuquerque Journal first reported Sunday morning that he got it.