• Sleep-deprived weekend for UNM’s Ridenour: Vegas on Friday night, Portales Saturday morning

 

 

It’s going to be a crazy 48 hours — Heath Ridenour

 

Heath Ridenour

Heath Ridenour, UNM’s quarterbacks coach, has a whole lot on his plate with a senior transfer QB learning the triple option for the first time, a packed weekend that includes a big Lobos game at UNLV and a celebration at his alma mater.

Ridenour, the former Cleveland High head coach, is being inducted into Eastern New Mexico University’s Hall of Honors and will be recognized during the Greyhounds’ homecoming game on Saturday night.

After Friday night’s Lobo game in Las Vegas, Nev., he is due back in Albuquerque with the Lobos around 2 a.m. Saturday. From the airport, he’s driving to Portales and will later attend a breakfast for seven inductees at 8 a.m. There’s a parade at 11 a.m. and the Greyhounds’ game against Central Washington starts at 6 p.m.

“It’s going to be a crazy 48 hours,” Ridenour said.

Ridenour, who graduated from Lovington High, played football and basketball at ENMU, where he was a quarterback. In 2002 during the football team’s 8-3 season, he led the Greyhounds to a 37-24 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville. He was named NCAA Division III player of the week after rushing for a school-record 294 yards on 31 carries. He scored four touchdowns.

At Cleveland, he compiled a 96-18 record over 10 seasons and guided the Storm to three state titles as head coach (2015, 2019 and 2021). He was also an assistant coach on Cleveland’s 2011 championship squad.

“Going into the Hall is a huge honor,” Ridenour said.

“I loved my time at ENMU and I embraced the traditions at Eastern,” he said. “Playing for the Greyhounds alongside my teammates was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I was a small part of a very talented and motivated football team. I was given an opportunity to play college football, and I took full advantage of that opportunity. It is humbling to join such a prestigious group of individuals.”

Former Rio Rancho and Cleveland track & field and cross country coach Larry Chavez, later the athletic director at Cleveland High and for the school district, is also an ENMU Hall of Honor inductee Saturday evening.