Braden Mechem was appointed the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at New Mexico Highlands University by Director of Athletics Scott Nobel in August 2025.

"We are very fortunate to have Braden coming to Highlands University," said Noble. "He comes out of arguably one of the best sport performance programs in the RMAC under the tutelage of E.J. Kreis. There is no doubt that we got a strong talented coach, and can't wait to see our sports performance department thrive under Braden's leadership."

Mechem served as a Coaching Assistant in the CSC Strength and Conditioning department since the spring of 2025, after initially joining Eagle Strength and Conditioning as a student assistant intern in the spring of 2023.

Prior to Chadron State, the Torrington, Wyoming, native attended Eastern Wyoming College and received his associate degree in social science. He then went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Chadron State College in the winter of 2023 in sports and recreation with an emphasis in strength and conditioning. Following the completion of his bachelor's degree, Mechem completed his master's degree in sports organizational management in the spring of 2025.
 
Mechem is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and holds the Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) credential through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa). He is also CPR/AED certified.