Nick Coppola
LightNews LightNews
banner
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Nick Coppola
@nickcoppola.bsky.social
47 followers 94 following 23 posts
New Mexico State sports for the Las Cruces Sun-News | OU Alum | Bylines in the Dallas Morning News, Amarillo Globe-News & the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | Living in God’s Grace
Posts Replies Media Videos
nickcoppola.bsky.social
I wrote previews on New Mexico State's 2025 offense and defense last week. Check them out to see who and what you need to know about the Aggies.

Offense: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...

Defense: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
2025 NMSU Offense Preview: Reloaded Aggies aim for more balance and firepower
The Aggies weren't great on offense in 2024, but hope their many new faces and key returners light a fire this season.
www.lcsun-news.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
It's year 2 for NMSU under Tony Sanchez, & he pulls no punches about how tough 2024 was. But now, with 54 newcomers, Sanchez believes he has the firepower to challenge for a bowl this year.

Here's some of what he had to say at the CUSA Kickoff: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Takeaways from NMSU coach Tony Sanchez at the Conference USA Kickoff
It's Year 2 for Tony Sanchez as New Mexico State's coach. Here's what he had to say about this season's Aggies.
www.lcsun-news.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:47 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU earned nearly $300K in season ticket revenue for the 2024 football season. Deputy AD Braun Cartwright says it was an increase from 2023.

Read more about it here: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
NMSU earned nearly $300k in 2024 football season ticket revenue, aiming higher in 2025
Part of an increase in overall ticket sales, deputy AD Braun Cartwright says the 2024 football season ticket figure was higher than the one for 2023.
www.lcsun-news.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:08 AM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU tells me they have yet to begin their national AD search, but that it they are “close”

So far, here are the preliminary details. Mode to come once the search begins. www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
New Mexico State to begin a nationwide search for new AD 'in the coming days'
It is unknown how long the national search for a new AD will last, but NMSU will proceed with it shortly.
www.lcsun-news.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:06 AM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Here’s every new player for New Mexico State football in the 2025 season: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Meet every new player for New Mexico State football in the 2025 season
There are more than 50 new players for NMSU football this season. Meet them all here.
www.lcsun-news.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:05 AM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Check out this story to see how every NMSU sports team fared during the 2024-25 season, including notable players and highlights: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Here's how every New Mexico State team fared in the 2024-25 season
With the 2024-25 season now complete, here's how each Aggies team performed during their campaigns.
www.lcsun-news.com
June 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Recent NMSU football commits for the 2026 class:

- QB Brady Campbell (Bakersfield, CA)
- WR JaDarius Sanders (3-star, El Paso, TX)
- TE Kobie Watson (3-star, Bakersfield, CA)
- DE Steven Valdez (Sahuarita, AZ)
- DE Amare Bell (Phoenix, AZ)
June 25, 2025 at 11:34 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU's 2025-26 basketball roster is starting to take shape, with quality transfers signing on over the past few weeks.

Here's a look at where the roster stands so far, and what each signed-on Aggie can bring to the team: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Breaking down New Mexico State basketball's 2025-26 roster
Spots are filling up for the Aggies next season. Here's a look at all 11 players so far and what they bring to the table.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
After AG Raúl Torrez praised NMSU for its anti-hazing efforts, I took a closer look at what the university says it has achieved.

Here's what has been completed, what NMSU hopes to achieve by the year's end, and a statement from acting AD Amber Burdge:

www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
New Mexico AG: NMSU has made 'remarkable progress' in meeting anti-hazing recommendations
New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez praised NMSU for its anti-hazing work and says other in-state schools should follow its lead. See what NMSU has done here.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 22, 2025 at 11:33 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Statements from New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and New Mexico State University President Valerio Ferme yesterday:
May 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Two NMSU track and field athletes broke school records at the Conference USA Championships, and both later earned podium finishes on Sunday for the Aggies.

See who they are and read more about it here: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Sierra Brewer breaks NMSU record in 100m dash, later finishes top-5 at CUSA Championships
The Aggies' sprint runner set herself apart at the Conference USA Championships in Murfreesboro.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
- Corbin Coombs breaks 2 state records
- Kaselle Davis wins 3 events
- 2 Centennial athletes win field events

Las Cruces athletes had many noteworthy performances at the state track and field meet. Check out all of these results and more here: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
State track results: Corbin Coombs' two state records highlight Las Cruces performers
Corbin Coombs broke two state records at the 5A New Mexico track meet, highlighting the top performers from Las Cruces athletes.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Centennial has done it. They are the champions of 5A softball again. Back-to-back, unbeaten and for the 3rd time in school history.

A dominant win over La Cueva ends a perfect season for the Hawks. Read all about it here:

www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Champions! Undefeated Centennial wins consecutive 5A softball championships
The Hawks are the first NM team to win a title with a perfect record since 2017 and the first to go back-to-back in the NMAA's top class since 2015.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
New Mexico State signed 3 DL transfers today:

- Jason Gwan, Arkansas-Pine Bluff DT: 12 total tackles, 0.5 sacks last season, was a JUCO All-American at Erie CC in 2023

- Jamall Thompson, Samford DE: 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble last season

- Larry Jones III, Liberty DE: 5 tackles, 0.5 sacks in 2024
May 16, 2025 at 9:52 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
East Texas A&M transfer IOL Santos Valdez has announced his commitment to New Mexico State.

He spent 2 seasons at ETAMU from 2023-24. Notably, he can play center, a position the Aggies have been in need of since AJ Vaipulu, who was set to replace Canaan Yarro, transferred to Washington State.
May 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
The 2025 Conference USA Kickoff will be held at the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas. Coach Tony Sanchez, QB Logan Fife and LB Tyler Martinez will represent New Mexico State at the media event.
May 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU has gathered plenty of transfers from the winter and spring windows for next season, some of whom will be relied upon to play key roles.

Here are the ones who have the biggest impact potential: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
The 5 transfers who can make the biggest impact for New Mexico State football
From a new starting QB to a lightning-fast RB duo, check out the transfers which could play key roles for the Aggies.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Former NMSU kicker Abraham Montaño out at rookie minicamp for the New York Giants.
May 12, 2025 at 10:02 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU has announced two transfer TE signings this weekend.

- Joshua Goines from Tulane. All-district player in high school and spent 2 seasons w/ the Green Wave.
- Lukas Ungar from Stanford. Entering his 6th year of college, 3 total catches with Cardinal.
May 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU was 3 outs away from advancing in the CUSA tournament yesterday with a 4-1 lead. In a blur, it all fell apart for the Aggies.

Here’s how it happened, from LA Tech’s rally to Sam Houston’s home run power. www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
How NMSU softball became the first team out of Conference USA Tournament
The Aggies were close to a first-game win, but fell apart and was later the first team to exit Bowling Green.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
NMSU officially announced the following football signings today:

- K Ryan Hawk: Valparaiso transfer
- RB Kadarius Calloway: Cal transfer
- DB Lorenzo Smith: South Alabama transfer
- LB Tony Gethers: JUCO recruit
- CB Stilton McKelvey: JUCO recruit
May 5, 2025 at 4:40 AM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
Southern Illinois transfer Elijah Elliott has announced his commitment to New Mexico State.

Averaged 14 points per game last season before his season ended early with an ACL injury. The year before that at UTRGV, he started 29 of 30 games and averaged 16.6 points per game.
May 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
nickcoppola.bsky.social
New Mexico State is starting to make some noise in the transfer portal, having picked up 3 Division I transfers so far.

Here’s a deeper look at all of them, breaking down how they can help the Aggies next season: www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports...
Breaking down New Mexico State basketball's Division I transfers
The Aggies are starting to make noise in the transfer portal. Here's a look at how their acquisitions can make a difference next season.
www.lcsun-news.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:03 PM