Scott Waterman Named Head Men's Basketball Coach At New Mexico Highlands

Las Vegas, New Mexico - New Mexico Highlands University Athletics has announced the hiring of Scott Waterman as the new head coach of the Cowboys men's basketball program.

Waterman arrives in Las Vegas after spending the 2025-26 season as Special Assistant to the Head Coach Eric Olen at University of New Mexico, helping guide the Lobos to a 26-win season, a trip to the NIT semifinals, and a school-record 3,004 points scored.

"We are excited to welcome Scott Waterman to the New Mexico Highlands family," said New Mexico Highlands Director of Athletics Scott Noble. "Scott has demonstrated throughout his career that he knows how to build a winning culture and develop student-athletes. We are confident he is the right person to take this program in the right direction and position Cowboys basketball for long-term success. His experience, character, and commitment to excellence made him the ideal choice to lead our men's basketball program."

Waterman spent six seasons as head coach at Academy of Art University, where he became the program's all-time winningest coach and transformed the Urban Knights into one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the West Region.

During his tenure, Waterman compiled a 96-71 overall record and led Academy of Art to four consecutive seasons of at least 20 victories. The Urban Knights captured the 2022 Pacific West Conference Tournament Championship, earned the program's first two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and claimed the 2024 Pacific West Conference regular season championship. For his efforts during the 2023-24 campaign, Waterman was named the Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year.

Under Waterman's leadership, Academy of Art established numerous program records, including wins in a season, scoring average, steals, rebounds, and scoring margin. His teams became known for their fast-paced style of play and defensive intensity, consistently ranking among the conference leaders in scoring and steals.

"I could not be more excited to have the privilege of leading the New Mexico Highlands Men's Basketball program. I want to thank Interim President Blea, Athletic Director Scott Noble, and the entire search committee for believing in me to be the next head coach," said Coach Waterman.  "The Cowboys will play an exciting brand of basketball that will translate to competing for RMAC championships. Lastly, I want to thank all of my former players and mentors who put me in this position. I cannot wait to get started and meet the Las Vegas and campus community."

Prior to Academy of Art, Waterman served as Associate Head Coach at Dominican University of California from 2017-19. He also held positions at Dartmouth College, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, California State University, Fullerton, and California State University, Long Beach, gaining experience across NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III basketball.

A native of Lake Forest, California, Waterman earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Occidental College, where he was a team captain for the Tigers. He later earned a master's degree in kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach.

Waterman takes over a Cowboys program that posted a 13-19 record during the 2025-26 season and will immediately begin preparations for the upcoming campaign.