ENMU coach moving on to Belen High School

Belen High School has moved quickly to find a new head football coach.

Andrew McCraw, 34, who was coaching at Eastern New Mexico the last five seasons, accepted the job Wednesday.

McCraw was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator — and, for the past two years, the assistant head coach — in Portales alongside former Greyhounds coach Kelley Lee.

Lee departed in March to become athletic director and football coach at Veterans High School in Brownsville, Texas. McCraw served as interim coach before Tye Hiatt was hired for the position.

The 2005 Lovington High graduate replaces former Clovis Wildcat Phil Lopez, who was hired in late May by Belen but unexpectedly backed out of the job about two weeks ago.

“(Belen) is one of the best programs in 5A,” McCraw said. He has twice interviewed with the Eagles to be their head coach: once five years ago, and then again in May. “It’s been a good job.”

McCraw was previously Socorro High’s head coach for a single season before going to ENMU. He also is a former assistant at Valencia from 2009-2012.