Bronco Mendenhall brings new intensity to UNM spring football
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The UNM football team began spring practices for the 2024 season on Tuesday morning. It also marked the first practice for new UNM head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
There was a noticeable difference in the effort and intensity from the players during the portion of practice open to the media. Players sprinted all around the practice field and were required to start a drill over if it was not executed correctly the first time. Two players were even seen vomiting due to the workouts within the first 30 minutes.
The difference in effort, and accountability, stems from the culture change that Mendenhall is trying to instill in the Lobos program. Mendenhall said he is persistent in building a program that comes from principles that fall under the theme of Family: First, Last, Always. Those principles include,
Everybody is Somebody
Earned Not Given
Will Before Skill
Hard Things Together
ADE
Two Ways
The Power of Choice
Less Drama More Work
400%
Greater Than Not Equal To
Champions Do Extra
It Pays to Be a Winner
Make It a Masterpiece
As Mendenhall embarks on the challenge of coaching the Lobos, he feels like he currently has enough to get to where he wants to go.
“History of teams, history of programs doesn’t matter,” said Mendenhall. “We’re just starting from scratch. I like my team. They’re willing, they try hard and they’re eager, but also they realize the amount of work that lays ahead. But I’m really pleased and it was just so much fun to be out with them today.”
From a player perspective, the guys were ready to finally get on the field. After a rigorous off-season weight lighting program, the players got a taste of expectations under coach Mendenhall. They understand that after seven consecutive losing seasons, the changes were necessary.
Multiple UNM players, including running back Andrew “Dolla” Henry and safety Tavian Combs, initially entered the transfer portal when the coaching change happened. After hearing what coach Mendenhall was about, they decided to come back.
“The way that they set the program, it’s hard,” said Henry. “That’s the only way that you can be good, and I want to be good. I want to be a part of a good team and I don’t want to go nowhere where it’s nonchalant and we just do what we want to do. I wanted somewhere with discipline and standard.”
Combs turned down multiple power-four offers to return to UNM. He felt like he had the opportunity to build a legacy at UNM and wanted to be an example to younger kids to push through adversity.
“It’s Understanding that [the new coaches] are coming here to help us win,” Combs said. “It’s not bad ill will towards anybody, its just understanding that they’re coming to help. So we got to understand and absorb this culture and really take it in build that connection and brotherhood between each other for sure.”
UNM spring practices will run through April 27 and all practices are closed to the public. The Lobos spring game open to the public will take place on Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m.
