Within 24 hours two New Mexico head coaches stepped down from their respected positions.
On Thursday, UNM announced that Bart Scott will no longer be the head coach of the men’s tennis program after just two seasons at the helm of the program. On Friday, Kunio Kono announced his resignation from the swimming and diving team after four years.
According to the release, Scott will be moving into the private sector and his resignation will take place on June 30.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to th ank Paul Krebs and Tim Cass for the opportunity to serve a program that I love more than words can describe,” Scott said in a statement. “I am a Lobo through and through, and to be able to play here, join the staff as an assistant coach, and then eventually lead the program and these amazing student athletes has been a dream come true. I’d especially like to thank Alan and Loren Dils for their guidance, leadership and friendship, and for also helping me throughout my professional career.”
In his two years as head coach, Scott accumulated a 35-27 overall record including a trip to the NCAA tournament back in the 2014-2015 campaign when the Lobos went 20-11.
“Most of all I want to say a special thank you to all of our Lobos who have come through the program. They made this job so special,” Scott said. “I am a Lobo for life and I will continue to support all the Lobo teams, but especially the tennis teams, as we move forward on our family’s journey.”
According to a separate release, Kono will be returning to Japan in order to take care of personal matters.
“It has been a great honor to serve as UNM head swimming and diving coach for the last four years,” Kono said in a statement. “We accomplished to break every single school record, not only in the pool, but academically.”
Kono has gone 19-11 in dual meets during his four-year tenure. The head coach never finished better than fifth in the Mountain West Championships, which occurred during the 2014 season.
“I appreciate our Albuquerque community and alumni members that have supported our program. It is sad to leave this amazing family, but I know the program will grow and continue to succeed with great student-athletes, staff and families,” he said. “Once a Lobo, always a Lobo.”
In both releases, Krebs announced that the school will be conducting a nation-wide search to replace the head coaches.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
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