New Mexico State University announced the hiring of NM State associate head coach Paul Weir as the 25th men’s head basketball coach of the Aggies.
NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia introduced Weir at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“After a nationwide search that yielded several top candidates, I felt that the right coach and the right fit for the Aggie basketball program at this time was Paul Weir,” said Moccia. “Paul is an extremely passionate individual who I know will do everything in his power to keep our program successful, take it to new heights and excite the students as well as our community to get the Pan Am Center filled like it used to be.”
“I’m delighted with the choice of Paul Weir as NMSU’s newest head basketball coach,” said NM State Chancellor Garrey Carruthers. “He will bring new insights, energy and enthusiasm to the Pan American Center and help us continue our tradition of success on the basketball court. Plus, he has an MBA from NMSU and is now working on his doctorate. He’s definitely an Aggie.”
“I am both humbled and honored to accept the position of head coach at New Mexico State University,” said Weir. “To be able to realize this dream is quite simply the opportunity of a lifetime. I am going to pour my heart and soul into this program to make it the best it can be.”
Weir, who has spent the last nine seasons on the NM State bench, has been the Aggies associate head coach and defensive coordinator since July 2011 for his predecessor Marvin Menzies.
He coached the Aggies to five WAC Tournament Championships (2010, 2012-15) and five subsequent NCAA Tournament appearances. The Aggies collected three WAC Championships during Weir’s tenure, including back-to-back WAC regular season titles in 2015 and 2016 to go with their first WAC regular season title in 2008. Overall, NM State has claimed seven WAC titles during his nine years with the program.
The Aggies defense led the Western Athletic Conference in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense the last two seasons. The Aggies ranked 10th nationally in scoring defense in 2015-16, allowing just 63.1 points a game. NM State ranked 11th nationally in field goal percentage defense, as opponents shot just 39.2 percent from the floor – NM State’s lowest since the 1960-61 season and fourth-best in program history.
In 2014-15, the Aggies allowed the opposition only 59.8 points a game, ranking 21st nationally in scoring defense. NM State held three opponents under 40 points in the 14-15 campaign, all ranking in the top 10 of fewest points allowed by an Aggie team since 1950.
In addition to his defensive work, Weir also directed the recruiting efforts for the Aggies. He was responsible for signing Daniel Mullings, the first WAC Player of the Year in school history and first AP All-American in 11 years at NM State in 2014. Mullings is the only player in school history to start on four-straight NCAA Tournament teams. He also landed Sim Bhullar, two-time WAC Tournament MVP and the first Aggie in 24 years to play in the NBA. Bhullar was the first player of Indian descent in NBA history.
Weir came to NM State in 2007 after two seasons as the director of basketball operations at Iowa, where he served under Steve Alford. In 2005-06, his first season at Iowa City, the Hawkeyes won 25 games on their way to a Big Ten Tournament Championship.
He got his start in collegiate basketball as an assistant for Mike McConathy at Northwestern State (La.) in 2004-05. The Demons went 21-12 and won the Southland Conference regular season title.
Weir served as the head coach at Don Bosco Catholic High School in Toronto, Canada, posting a 41-32 record before entering the collegiate ranks. His 2002-03 team was ranked ninth in the greater Toronto area.
Weir was an outstanding player as well, gaining regional and city all-star honors as a point guard and team captain at Iona Catholic Secondary School before going on to play at York University (Toronto, Canada) in 1998-99, where he was the starting point guard for the Lions as a freshman.
Weir graduated with honors while earning his bachelor’s degree from York in 2004. He earned his master’s degree in health and human performance from Northwestern State in 2005, added a second master’s degree in sports psychology from Iowa in 2010 and a third master’s degree in business administration from New Mexico State in 2012. He is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at NM State.
Born June 12, 1979, Weir and Alma have one son, Theodore.
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What They Are Saying About Paul Weir:
Marvin Menzies
UNLV head coach, NM State head coach (2007-2016)
“Our journey together was a very successful one, and so much so that it’s given him the opportunity to grow and prepare to be a head coach that can hit the ground running at a place that he obviously loves and is committed to. Paul is extremely loyal and extremely passionate toward the sport and the players. He just does everything the right way. He is as well rounded as any coach I have worked with or met. Everything we have done in the past has prepared him for this opportunity. I don’t think there is anyone on the planet that can have such an ease of transition because of his familiarity with players, booster club, and our academics. The bottom line is he familiar with the whole enchilada to keep the ball rolling in the right direction.”
Lou Henson
National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, NM State head coach (1966-75, 1997-2005)
“I’ve really gotten to know Paul in his time here. He has unbelievable knowledge of the game. We talk basketball a lot and he talks like a head coach. He is a tremendous teacher and proved it with the way he handled the Aggies defense. He’s a great speaker and works well with the public. Paul Weir has the total package. I know Paul will do a fantastic job.”
Steve Alford
UCLA head coach
“Paul is a very loyal individual. I really appreciated his knowledge of coaching and his tireless work ethic. What’s most impressive about Paul is how he touches and manages all aspects of coaching. He’s a very prepared individual and his player see and feel that daily.”
Mike McConathy
Northwestern State head coach
“I’m so proud of him. That is such wonderful news about a man who is extremely worthy of this opportunity. Paul is one of the brightest, most enthusiastic, and remarkable people I’ve been involved with, not only in the sport of basketball but as an outstanding individual in any field. He is extremely principled, a vital characteristic of productive leadership. The building blocks are in place educationally, socially, spiritually and basketball-wise to enable him to lead New Mexico State to great heights.”
Jay Triano
Canadian Men’s National Team head coach and Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach
“Paul has helped so many of our young Canadian players and players who have represented Canada. Part of the surge of basketball talent in Canada is because of coaches like Paul. He has put in his time and I am so happy that he finally gets to lead a team and University that he has so proudly represented.”
Craig Neal
New Mexico head coach
“I couldn’t be more excited for Paul’s opportunity at New Mexico State. I knew that he had the ability to become a head coach one day when working together at Iowa. He is a great recruiting and even better X’s and O’s coach. I’m so happy for him. He is one of my favorite people in the business.”
