Mountain West Football: A Legacy of Coaching Excellence from 1999-2025
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A vote of their peers has recognized exceptional leadership in Mountain West football for over two decades, and the tradition continues. From 1999 through 2025, 23 coaches have earned the prestigious Mountain West Coach of the Year Award across 28 seasons, showcasing the dynamic and competitive nature of the conference. This year, New Mexico’s Jason Eck secured the honor, following in the footsteps of Colorado State’s Sonny Lubick, who captured the inaugural award in 1999.
The Early Years and Establishing Dynasties (1999-2009)
The award’s inception saw Sonny Lubick of Colorado State set the standard for coaching success, earning the distinction in both 1999 and 2000. He shared the 2000 honor with John Robinson of UNLV, signaling the beginning of a competitive era. The early 2000s witnessed the rise of Rocky Long, who would become a dominant figure in the conference, first at New Mexico in 2002 and later at San Diego State.
The late 2000s were marked by the success of Urban Meyer at Utah, securing the award in both 2003 and 2004. Gary Patterson of TCU also established himself as a coaching force, winning in 2005 and 2009. This period laid the foundation for the conference’s growing reputation for football prowess.
A New Era of Competition (2010-2019)
The decade from 2010 to 2019 saw a broadening of coaching excellence. Brady Hoke of San Diego State emerged as a two-time winner, claiming the award in 2010 and 2021. Kyle Whittingham led Utah to a championship-caliber season in 2008, earning him the Coach of the Year title. Troy Calhoun guided Air Force to success in 2007, and Bronco Mendenhall brought recognition to Brigham Young in 2006.
Later in the decade, Jeff Tedford at Fresno State (2017), Nick Rolovich at Hawaii (2019), and Matt Wells at Utah State (2018 and 2013) all earned accolades, demonstrating the increasing parity and competitiveness within the Mountain West.
Recent Standouts and Continued Excellence (2020-2025)
The most recent years have continued to showcase exceptional coaching talent. Brent Brennan of San Jose State earned the award in 2020, while Barry Odom of UNLV was recognized for his efforts in 2023. Spencer Danielson of Boise State continued the program’s tradition of success, winning in 2024. Most recently, in 2025, Jason Eck of New Mexico was honored, marking a significant achievement for the Lobos.
Program Dominance and Individual Achievements
Throughout the history of the award, certain programs have consistently demonstrated coaching excellence. San Diego State leads the way with four Coach of the Year awards, most recently in 2021. Colorado State, Utah, New Mexico, and Boise State each boast three awards, while BYU, TCU, UNLV, and Utah State have each secured two.
Notably, Rocky Long stands out as the only coach to win the award while leading two different programs – New Mexico and San Diego State – earning the honor a total of three times (2002, 2012, 2015). Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer have each won the award twice, solidifying their legacies within the conference. Sonny Lubick also earned two awards, establishing him as a foundational figure in Mountain West football coaching history.
The Mountain West Coach of the Year Award serves as a testament to the dedication, strategic brilliance, and leadership of the conference’s finest football coaches, and the competition promises to remain fierce for years to come.
