BIRMINGHAM IS LIKELY TO BE BACK
Coach says he has ‘unfinished business’ with New Mexico
The longtime University of New Mexico baseball coach doesn’t have a contract beyond June, but he and athletic director Eddie Nuñez are confident a new deal will get done.
The days in Ray Birmingham’s contract are dwindling, but his days as the University of New Mexico’s baseball coach don’t appear to be numbered.
Birmingham and UNM athletic director Eddie Nuñez said this week they are working toward an extension for the Lobos’ veteran coach. Both say they expect a deal to be reached.
Birmingham, 63, recently completed his 11th season at UNM and his coaching contract expires June 30. Nuñez said he has been negotiating with Birmingham throughout the season and doesn’t necessarily see the end of June as a firm deadline.
“We’re still in the process of working on a contract,” Nuñez said. “We can go month-to-month if necessary during negotiations, but I’m hoping to get something done sooner rather than later. I feel very confident we’ll get things worked out.”
Birmingham appears to feel the same way. Since UNM’s season ended last Sunday he has been preparing for 2019.
“I have unfinished business,” Birmingham said Friday. “The contract situation has been difficult, but Eddie’s had other challenges to face. I understand that. From day one he’s told me ‘I want you here.’ We have a good relationship so I can be patient.”
UNM struggled in 2018, finishing 20-33-1 and failing to qualify for the Mountain West tournament. A freshman-laden roster and several key injuries played roles in Birmingham’s second sub-.500 season with the Lobos. His overall record at New Mexico is 361-284-3 and includes seven combined MWC regular-season and tournament titles and five NCAA Regional appearances.
Birmingham also has spearheaded a dramatic facilities upgrade for his program, including the $2.4 million R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse which opened in 2016. Santa Ana Star Field still lacks sufficient seating and press box facilities to host NCAA postseason play, however, and Birmingham wants to see the upgrades completed and believes a three-year contract extension would allow him to do it.
“I want to finish the stadium,” he said, “have covered seating for the fans and have it be a place that makes kids say, ‘Wow, I want to play there.’ ”
Birmingham also wants to get his team back on a winning track and has already begun making changes. Assistant coach Buddy Gouldsmith’s contract will not be renewed, and Birmingham is interviewing candidates for a new pitching coach. Ken Jacome, who served as pitching coach last season, will take over Gouldsmith’s duties, assuming Birmingham’s contract situation is resolved.
“We had a rough year and a lot of things went wrong,” Birmingham said. “We’ve started to address things and hopefully the contract will be settled soon, too. I’m optimistic.”