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Matt Henry Named New Mexico Head Track Coach
Brother Mark Henry tabbed as Associate Head Coach.
June 19, 2000
Albuquerque (June 17) -- University of New Mexico director of athletics Rudy Davalos announced today that Matt Henry has been named head coach for the UNM men's and women's track and field and cross country teams effective immediately. Henry replaces Mike MacEachen, who accepted a position with the New Mexico Activities Association last month. Davalos also announced that Mark Henry - Matt's twin brother - will be the associate head coach for the men's and women's track and cross country teams. Matt Henry, a 1975 graduate of UNM and former member of the Lobos track team, has been the head coach of the boy's and girl's track and cross country teams at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque since the school opened in 1986. Matt Henry led La Cueva to four straight boy's state track titles from 1997-2000. The Bears also captured three state championships in boy's cross country (1995-96, 98) and a pair in girl's cross country (1994-95). Matt Henry was named the National High School Track Coach of the Year in 1999. Matt and Mark Henry, 47, are part of a great lineage with extensive ties to the University of New Mexico. Their father, Gwinn "Bub" Henry, spent 30 years at UNM, most of that time as the Director of the Alumni Association. Bub and all five of his sons attended the University of New Mexico. Bub's father, Gwinn, was the Lobos athletics director, head football coach and head track coach for three seasons from 1934-36. Gwinn Henry compiled a 16-12 record on the gridiron, including a Border Conference championship in 1934 with an 8-1 mark. Track has long been a part of the Henry family. Gwinn Henry was declared the fastest man in the world in 1911. Matt's older brother, Pat, is the head track coach at LSU, a program that has captured 20 NCAA titles since Pat took over in 1987. Matt Henry was a four-year varsity letterman for the UNM from 1971-74. Competing in the 440-yard dash and the 880-yard run, Matt Henry was part of the Lobos' all-Albuquerque two-mile relay team that earned all-America honors at the 1972 NCAA Indoor Championships. "I'm excited to have Matt Henry lead our track program", said Davalos. "He's had a marvelous record at the high school level and he is very much respected in track circles throughout the country. It's great that we are getting two coaches from one of the most famous sports families in the state of New Mexico to head our program." "I am really proud to be the track and cross country coach at UNM," said Matt Henry. "It's a dream that I thought would never come true. It's a privilege to be at the school where I got my education and competed. I look forward to building the program." Matt Henry received a bachelor's degree in physical education from UNM in 1975 and his master's degree in 1980. He and his wife, Lisa, have three boys: Kenny, 20, Kurt, 14, and Kyle, 12. Mark Henry has spent the past six years (1994-99) as the head football coach at La Cueva High School, leading the Bears to the state playoffs five times. He also served as assistant track coach to his brother, coaching sprints and hurdles. Prior to La Cueva, Mark Henry was the head football coach and assistant track coach at Albuquerque Highland High School from 1989-93. Mark Henry earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from UNM in 1974 and his master's degree in 1978.
"This is a big move for us," said Mark Henry. "Hopefully, we can make a
big difference and change the program a little bit. We want to improve on
what's been done. We're excited to get started."
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