Former Gophers coach Pitino hired at New Mexico

Richard Pitino, who was relieved of his duties as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota on Monday, will take over the men’s program at New Mexico.

College basketball insider Jeff Goodman of Stadium first broke the news Tuesday.

Pitino spent eight seasons with the Gophers, compiling a 141-123 overall record and a 54-96 record in the Big Ten. Minnesota made the NCAA tournament twice under Pitino’s watch — as a No. 5 seed in 2017 and as a No. 10 seed in 2019. The Gophers won one NCAA tournament game, an 86-76 victory over Louisville in the first round of the 2019 tourney.

The Lobos, who compete in the Mountain West Conference, are coming off a 6-16 campaign, which is their lowest win total since 1961-62.

New Mexico hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2014.