Northern New Mexico College fired men’s basketball coach and athletic director Ryan Cordova, while those within the basketball program still wait for further details and an explanation.
Cordova was on administrative leave until the school fired him on Oct. 28, effective Friday (Nov. 4) right as the season started.
Jesus Aragon, who was hired over the summer as associate head coach, takes over as head coach. Northern interim president Bárbara Medina had named herself as interim athletic director, but said Tuesday that she had reassigned the position to Aragon. She did not say if there would be a search for a full-time replacement, while Aragon is in his first job in collegiate athletics. Medina did not give a reason for Cordova’s termination.
Aragon said nobody told him why Cordova had been put on leave or fired.
“They don’t mention nothing to me, we don’t know nothing about that,” he said. “All I gotta do is just step up on the court and give time to the kids, dedicate time, and put them in a better situation for practice and gametime ready.”
One player from the basketball team said he knew that Cordova had been fired, but nothing beyond that, and was never given a reason.
Aragon had been on the job for 12 days when Cordova — the only men’s basketball coach in college history — was put in administrative leave, giving Aragon a trial by fire.
Aragon knew Cordova from their high school days, with Aragon playing at Santa Teresa High School and Cordova at Gallup. A Mexico native, Aragon has coached all over the world, including a stint as a Mexican national team coach
“It’s been a great opportunity,” Aragon said. “I just thank god for the opportunity, and I think also the people that believe in my work.”
Northern Starts Year with Eagles Tourney
The Eagles started their season with a loss to Bethel College and a 103-62 win over Mexico City’s Tec de Monterrey. Bethel College went to the national tournament and made the Round of 16 a year ago, and Northern played a close game with them. Northern also battled with their junior varsity team, who beat Tec de Monterrey.
“I’m happy from what I’m seeing this weekend,” Aragon said. “It was three tough games. All this is going to be a good help in training for preparing the team.”
The Eagles hosted the Eagles Tournament. Aragon said that after he was put in charge, he connected with friends of his to find teams for the tournament.
“It’s special because we bring a team from Mexico,” Aragon said. “We’ll try to bring more teams so we can create this tournament as an international tournament. This is a great opportunity for me and for the guys.”
Northern struggled to pull ahead early, with Tec de Monterrey up 10-6 about five minutes into the game. They eventually pulled ahead with a 15-4 run, while they succeeded in scoring in transition, and went up 51-26 by halftime. It was a similar story in the second half, and Tec de Monterrey’s top player fouled out with nine minutes left in the game. Northern crossed the 100-point mark late in the fourth quarter and won by 41.
Center Damione Thomas was the leading scorer with 17 points; Omar Dominguez and Jamal Harris both had 12. Harris also had eight rebounds, and Reyes Herrera had five assists but seven turnovers.
Aragon said he wants to continue working on their defensive transition.