Eric Olen, the newly appointed men’s basketball coach at the University of New Mexico, is starting an exciting journey with his family.
For his new job, the Olen family had to move from San Diego, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his wife, Lauren Olen, and their two daughters, Avery and Madeline.
As Eric steps into this new chapter of his coaching career, Lauren remains his constant supporter, just as she has been through all the highs and lows of his professional life.
Eric and Lauren Olen are two sides of the same coin. They stand by each other in their personal and professional endeavors.
From his early days as an assistant coach to his rise as a head coach, she’s been there, cheering him on and helping him face the challenges of the sports world.
A NEW CHAPTER OF LOBO BASKETBALL STARTS NOW!!
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) March 30, 2025
@CoachEricOlen is the 23rd head coach of UNM Men's Basketball.
STORY: https://t.co/IuFIusJfsn#505SVF | #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/te82Df2iWo
As Eric takes on his new role with the University of New Mexico, Lauren is ready to support him again, proving their partnership is as strong as ever.
The couple shares a private life with their two beautiful daughters, Avery and Madeline.
While Eric’s career often puts him in the spotlight, Lauren prefers to keep things low-key.
She’s not active on social media, focusing on her family and outstanding career.
Together, they’ve built a life filled with love, mutual respect, and shared goals.
Lauren Olen Is An Influential Individual In Her Own Right, Beyond Just Being Eric Olen’s Wife
Since 2022, she has served as the Chief Financial Officer and a board member at The Athlete Academy Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering young athletes.
But her journey to this role is a story of hard work, education, and years of experience across multiple fields.
Lauren’s educational background provided a strong foundation for her success.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and Economics, from Spring Hill College.
Not stopping there, she completed a Master’s degree in Accounting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
With these credentials, Lauren began a career spanning over a decade, showing her versatility and determination.
Lauren’s professional journey is as inspiring as her husband’s coaching career.
Early on, she worked as a staff auditor at Ernst & Young, though she stayed in that role for less than a year.
She then spent a year as a staff accountant at Horton, Lee, and Burnett PC, gaining valuable experience in financial management.
Her next step took her to HealthSpring, where she served as an SEC Financial Reporting Analyst, sharpening her skills in financial analysis.
Lauren’s career took off when she moved to San Diego, where her husband was coaching at UC San Diego.
For four years, she worked as the Director of recruiting at Vaco, a role that highlighted her leadership and talent-spotting abilities.
Her longest tenure was with Sayva Solutions, where she is still a shareholder. She spent 11 years advancing through the ranks.
She held positions like Director of Recruiting, Director of Operations, and Operations and Reporting Consultant, eventually becoming a shareholder in the company.
This impressive performance displayed her ability to adapt and excel in different roles.
Since 2022, Lauren has brought her expertise to The Athlete Academy Foundation, where she oversees finances and helps guide the organization’s mission.
She’s also a dedicated volunteer. She serves on the board and finance committee of the Solana Beach Schools Foundation, which raises funds to enhance education for students in the Solana Beach School District.
Lauren’s dedication to education and community mirrors Eric’s dedication to his basketball teams.
While Lauren Has Focused On Her Career, Eric Has Excelled In College Basketball
His coaching story began in 2004 when he joined his former college coach, Bill Carr, as an assistant at UC San Diego.
Eric stayed in that role until 2013, when he was promoted to head coach after Chris Carlson stepped into an administrative position with the West Coast Conference.
As head coach of the UC San Diego Tritons, Eric proved his talent quickly.
He led the team to three CCAA regular-season titles and four consecutive tournament championships.
Under his leadership, the Tritons made four NCAA Division II tournament appearances.
In 2020-21, Eric guided the program through a major transition into NCAA Division I as part of the Big West Conference. It showed his talent and vision as a coach.
Eric faces fresh challenges and opportunities with his new role at the University of New Mexico.
The Lobo faithful are eager to see what he’ll bring to the program, and with Lauren by his side, there’s no doubt he’s ready to take on this next adventure.
The move from San Diego to Albuquerque marks a big change for the Olen family. For Eric, it’s a chance to lead a new team and make his mark at UNM.
It’s an opportunity for Lauren to continue her professional success while supporting her husband and raising their daughters in a new community.
Avery and Madeline, the couple’s two girls, will also get to experience this exciting shift as their parents balance busy careers with family life.
Though Lauren keeps her personal life private, her influence is clear.
She is a partner who complements Eric perfectly. Both are driven, accomplished, and committed to making a difference.
Whether it’s Eric on the basketball court or Lauren in the boardroom, the Olens are a team in every sense of the word.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Olen grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and prepped at McGill–Toolen Catholic High School.
- He graduated from Spring Hill in 2004 with a degree in Finance.
- Eric played at Spring Hill College and reached the NAIA Elite Eight in 2000.
