Luke Nardo

Biography

Luke Nardo joined the Lobo Family in January 2025 and serves as Outside Linebackers and Nickels Coach, moving there in January 2026. He came to UNM originally as a defensive analyst, where he coached the Star Position for the Lobos. Before UNM, Nardo spent two seasons at West Virginia University. In his first year, his work in pre-scouting helped UNM to the nation's most-improved rushing defense and the nation's No. 2 total and scoring defenses. At WVU, he was the Assistant Linebackers Coach. During his time in Morgantown, they appeared in a pair of bowl games, including a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Before his time in Morgantown, Nardo served as a graduate assistant at Ohio University, where he worked with the safeties under current UNM Defensive Coordinator Spence Nowinsky. During the 2022 season, the Bobcats won 10 games and were selected to participate in the Barstool Arizona Bowl. Nardo began his career as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska at Kearney after serving as a student coach at Ohio University. A native of Shadyside, Ohio, Nardo graduated from Shadyside High School and then attended Ohio University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in AYA Social Studies. Both Luke’s brothers, Matt and Bryan, coach in college football, and their father, Perry, also coached football at the high school level. Luke’s wife, Mikayla, will be joining him in Albuquerque.