Vincent Brings Experience and Success
Vincent is a veteran coach who has worked at various levels of college football, including stints at South Alabama, UAB, Troy, and Southern Miss. He has a reputation for developing explosive and balanced offenses that can score points and win games.
In 2022, Vincent was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at South Alabama, where he led the Jaguars to a 9-4 record and a victory in the LendingTree Bowl. The Jaguars ranked 15th in the nation in total offense, averaging 467.5 yards per game, and 18th in scoring offense, averaging 34.5 points per game.
Vincent has also coached some outstanding quarterbacks in his career, such as Nick Mullens at Southern Miss, who set several school and conference records and went on to play in the NFL, and Jake Bentley at South Alabama, who passed for 3,038 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2022.
Vincent is excited to join the Lobos and work with head coach Danny Gonzales, who praised him as “one of the best offensive minds in the country”. Vincent said he is looking forward to implementing his system and philosophy at UNM and helping the Lobos compete for championships.
Ridenour Adds Versatility and Innovation
Ridenour is a young and innovative coach who has a diverse background in coaching various positions and schemes. He has worked at the high school, junior college, and Division I levels, most recently as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern New Mexico University.
In 2022, Ridenour led the Greyhounds to a 7-4 record and a second-place finish in the Lone Star Conference. The Greyhounds averaged 31.5 points and 403.8 yards per game, with a balanced attack that featured 2,241 yards passing and 2,205 yards rushing.
Ridenour has also coached at Hutchinson Community College, where he helped the Blue Dragons win the 2019 Salt City Bowl and produce several All-Conference and All-American players, and at Coeur d’Alene High School, where he won two state championships and coached several Division I prospects.
Ridenour is eager to join the Lobos and work with Vincent and Gonzales, who described him as “a rising star in the profession”. Ridenour said he is honored to be part of the UNM football family and help the Lobos reach their full potential.
Lobos Aim for Improvement and Success
The Lobos are hoping that the new additions to their coaching staff will help them improve their offensive production and performance in 2023. The Lobos ranked 10th in the Mountain West Conference in total offense, averaging 363.1 yards per game, and 11th in scoring offense, averaging 21.8 points per game, in 2022.
The Lobos have some returning talent on offense, such as senior quarterback Terry Wilson, who passed for 1,772 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 398 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, and junior running back Bobby Cole, who led the team with 691 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
The Lobos also have some newcomers who could make an impact, such as junior college transfer Jalen Chatman, who passed for 2,406 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 405 yards and six touchdowns at Riverside City College in 2022, and freshman Drew Ortiz, who was a four-star recruit and the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Mexico in 2021.
The Lobos are looking to build on their 4-8 record in 2022 and compete for a bowl berth and a conference title in 2023. The Lobos have not been to a bowl game since 2016 and have not won a conference title since 2003.
The Lobos will open their 2023 season on August 26 at home against UTEP.
