CU Buffs make star AD hire, steal New Mexico’s top man

The Colorado Buffaloes have selected an up-and-coming star sports executive to lead their athletic department, hiring away Fernando Lovo from the University of New Mexico.

The hiring was approved by a unanimous vote of the CU Board of Regents on Monday. Lovo will succeed Rick George, who will transition to an AD Emeritus role. Lovo starts work on Thursday.

“When we began our national search for a new Director of Athletics, we sought someone of high character, committed to the student-athlete experience who has an innovative approach to revenue generation,” CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz said in a news release. “Fernando is a dynamic leader who is perfect for these dynamic times and embodies CU’s high standards and values. He has a proven track record of leading student-athletes to success both in competition and in the classroom, and I’m confident that he is the perfect steward to lead CU Athletics into this new era of college athletics. We are thrilled to welcome Fernando, Jordan, Liam and Layla to the Buffalo family.”

Lovo joined New Mexico as Vice President/Director of Athletics in December of 2024. In Lovo’s one year on the job, the Lobos won eight Mountain West titles across various sports. He made an incredibly good football hire in Jason Eck, who nearly took that afterthought program into the conference championship game in his first year. Lovo also saw Richard Pitino’s hoopers make a run to the second round of the NCAA tournament after winning their conference. He had to then replace Pitino with Eric Olen, who has the Lobos off to a good start in his first season.

“I’m honored to join this incredible group of student-athletes, coaches and staff at a tremendous institution that strives for excellence and espouses the right values,” Lovo said in a news release. “We are in a time of extraordinary change in college athletics and Colorado should lead the way in shaping what comes next. I look forward to helping our student-athletes succeed in every aspect of their lives while bringing championships to Buff Nation.”

Lovo’s deal is for five years and will pay him $1.2 million per year, plus incentives. He will be the highest-paid AD in CU history. Colorado is said to be paying his near $800,000 buyout at New Mexico.”

“I am sincerely grateful to the CU Board of Regents, President Saliman, and Chancellor Schwartz for this incredible opportunity to lead this iconic department and its storied programs,” Lovo said. “I am also honored to take over leadership of CU Boulder Athletics from Rick George, one of the legendary athletic directors in the country.”

Colorado shared in their release that, “Lovo also led the Lobos Athletic Department to a record revenue year, growing the overall operating budget of the department by 17.6% from FY25 to FY26, and achieving record marks in ticket sales, multimedia rights, parking, concessions, and trademark and licensing revenue, along with a record year in Lobo Club fundraising.”

Lovo worked at the University of Texas at Austin for two stints, holding various roles before his stint in Albuquerque. He also worked for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the University of Houston, the Ohio State University and the University of Florida.

Lovo is a University of Florida graduate and is a native of New Orleans, who grew up in Miami.

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