NMSU president introduces new athletic director after Mario Moccia leaves university

Update: Watch the news conference below:

UPDATE: 1/3/25: New Mexico State University President Dr. Valerio Ferme and the new interim Athletic Director met with media Friday.

Ferme explained his reasons for firing long-time Athletic Director Mario Moccia.

"My assessment was that NMSU needed a change because it has been two and a half years that we have been embroiled in controversy with athletics if we want to excel NMSU shouldn't aim to comply with laws rules and duties we need to do better," he said.

Ferme will not conduct a search for a permanent athletic director at this time, but will reassess in six months.

Amber Brudge now moves into the athletic director position in the interim. She is familiar with the department having served as the deputy athletic director of strategic initiative and leadership.

"I just stepped into this role yesterday and it was quite a surprise so I do need a little bit of time but one thing that I will say is...our staff," Brudge said.

UPDATE: 1/2/25: NMSU President Valerio Ferme said the university needed a fresh start in the athletic program. A decision he said he reached after carefully reviewing the report from the New Mexico Department of Justice on hazing and sexual assault in the men's basketball program during their 2022-2023 season.

Mario Moccia, who was hired in 2015, is credited with hiring some legendary coaches who helped put the Aggies on the map during several winning seasons.

He hired Chris Jans in 2017 as the men's head basketball coach. The Aggies made three NCAA Tournament appearances under Jans. He was hired as the head coach for Mississippi State in 2022.

Greg Heiar replaced Jans. The men's basketball team was involved in a series of scandals under Heiar. The first a deadly shooting at the University of New Mexico that involved an NMSU basketball player.

Hazing allegations eventually lead to the cancellation of NMSU's season in 2023 and Heiar was eventually fired.

Moccia brought in Jason Hooten who rebuilt the team from scratch. Jerry Kill was also hired the same year as head football coach and Kill led the Aggies to two bowl games.

In 2023 after Moccia's contract was extended and he received at $72,000 raise, Dr. Gaylene Fasekno, the Senate Chair at the time, drafted a letter to the NMSU Board of Regents regarding "the lack of adherence to the university's mission."

Fasenko said the potential for students to be harmed had to be taken seriously.

"It was really alarming for us to see that the president at the time, the outgoing, Chancellor, on his last day, reinstated Mario's, contract and gave him a raise. there needed to be comment about that," she said.

Bob Gallagher, a former NMSU Board of Regents member, said that in situations like the investigation and cancellation of a season, athletic directors usually step away, not sign a new contract.

"I never like to see somebody lose their job or something negative happen to anybody, but, this was long overdue," said Gallagher.

Thursday after Ferme announced Amber Burdge as the interim athletic director, Fasenko was complimentary and supported the university president's decision.

"She is everything our students deserve. I cannot say enough good things about her. she is trying to not just mentor our students in terms of their athletic success. It is their success as future leaders," said Gaylene Fasekno, former faculty chair for NMSU of Ferme's appointment of Amber Burdge.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) - Mario Moccia, New Mexico State University athletic director is being replaced by deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives, Amber Burdge, NMSU's President announced Thursday.

NMSU President Valerio Ferme stated that after "reviewing the recent report issued by the New Mexico Department of Justice, he felt a fresh start in our athletics program."