When Jason Eck took over as head football coach at the University of New Mexico, one of his first big moves was hiring strength and conditioning coach Caleb Heim.
Heim’s leadership is key to building a championship foundation for the team, both on and off the field.
Heim, who came with Eck from the University of Idaho, didn’t just come to Albuquerque to make athletes stronger.
He wanted to help create a culture built around the team’s core value: “Championship Behavior.” This idea goes beyond training and influences everything the team does.
“My top priority last winter was to establish Coach Eck’s pillars of Championship Behavior,” Heim said.
“Our focus in all physical training was on our preparation standards. With so many new faces, setting the culture for Coach Eck was our biggest immediate impact.”
That culture has quickly become the Lobos’ identity. The team’s physical toughness stands out on game days, but Heim says the biggest changes are happening inside the players.
“I know your question is about physical change, but honestly, it’s mostly mental, with the physical side to support it,” Heim explained.
“We have a certain attitude in how we train and prepare. It’s not for everyone. It’s edgy, competitive, and direct, and it’s about building confidence through effort, even when that effort doesn’t lead to success.”
Learning from failure is now a key part of the program.
“We teach our guys to respond—whether after losing a competition or failing a rep, it’s about getting up and trying again. That’s how confidence and resilience are built.”
While the intensity in the weight room is clear, Heim points out that success at the FBS level takes much more than just lifting weights.
“We celebrate the process,” Heim said. “We’re only as good as our recovery. We push them physically, but real growth depends on nutrition, recovery, and mental strength.”
This well-rounded approach, which includes training, recovery, and mindset, has been strengthened by important additions to the program.
These include sports psychologist Dr. Cindra Kamphoff and a fully integrated nutrition system that is now a key part of player development.
“Nutrition support has made a big impact,” Heim said. “Our partnership with Jeffrey Sanchez and Pack Your Maxx has been incredible and directly affects how our guy’s train and recover.”
Facility upgrades have also made a big difference, along with nutrition and mental support.
Expanding the Mark Paulsen Athletic Performance Center and improving the Tow Diehm Complex have helped Heim and his staff work more efficiently and effectively.
“The expansion allows us to train more guys at once without sacrificing quality,” Heim said.
“We can do unit lifts, offense, and defense together, and maintain the standard we expect. That’s huge for building team chemistry and accountability.”