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Colorado Hires Fernando Lovo as Athletic Director After Regents’ Unanimous Approval

His contract emphasizes fundraising incentives to confront a projected $27 million deficit.

Overview

  • Lovo, 37, received a five-year deal worth $1.2 million annually and will begin Jan. 1, 2026.
  • Colorado’s Board of Regents approved the hire unanimously, paving the way for a transition alongside outgoing AD Rick George, who moves to an emeritus advisory role.
  • Per his CU contract, the university will pay or reimburse the buyout owed to New Mexico from Lovo’s early departure.
  • At New Mexico, Lovo oversaw a 17.6% operating budget increase, hired football coach Jason Eck and men’s basketball coach Eric Olen, and presided over strong competitive and academic results.
  • Lovo now assumes oversight of high-profile programs including Deion Sanders’ football team, with explicit expectations to accelerate fundraising under newly defined incentive targets.