NMSU athletic director Moccia interviewed for recent UNM vacancy
LAS CRUCES — New Mexico State Athletics Director Mario Moccia was among the first group of candidates to interview for the director of athletics position at The University of New Mexico. A spokesperson for NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers informed the Las Cruces Sun-News that Moccia was among the candidates who met with UNM officials recently in Atlanta regarding the opening to replace Paul Krebs.
UNM hired Atlanta-based search firm Parker Executive Search, which has vetted potential candidates. According to an Albuquerque Journal report, “about a dozen” applicants interviewed with members of the UNM search committee in Atlanta last week.
UNM hired Eddie Nuñez on Thursday as its athletic director. Nuñez was the deputy director of athletics at LSU. Moccia declined to comment Thursday. Carruthers hired Moccia in 2015. Moccia’s contract expires in 2019, but if the university terminates the contract without cause at any time, it would owe Moccia for one year at his $240,000 annual salary.
If Moccia were to leave NMSU prior to Dec. 31, 2019, his buyout would be determined by the number of months remaining on his contract. If he left for another job in December, he would owe the university roughly $48,000.
Since Moccia was hired at NMSU, he also has been contacted as a potential candidate at Louisiana-Lafayette, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan but did not pursue those openings.