Caleb Medford knows it’s only natural.
For two years, the former New Mexico receiver watched film, worked out and practiced with a little over a dozen current Lobos. They knew him first and foremost as a player. And, of course, that’s how they still treat him.
For his part, Medford doesn’t mind it.
He just knows exactly where he stands now.
“They also know I’m a coach, too. So don’t get it twisted,” he laughed.
After a year away, Medford is back at UNM — this time as an offensive recruiting graduate assistant. The former Lobo joined head coach Jason Eck’s staff before fall camp, the first step in a career he initially fixated on when he was still catching passes for UNM.
These days, Medford arrives at the Tow Diehm Athletic Facility between 6:30 and 7 a.m. and leaves around 10 p.m. Instead of getting treatment before practice, he helps script it.
If it’s been a “whirlwind” transition, Medford is thrilled to be back around the game he only recently left behind.
“That’s the best thing I could (tell) anybody about that whole journey, my whole situation — it’s supposed to happen like this,” he said. “Just to come back, it’s a full-circle moment. I mean, I’m grateful. I really am.”
A former TCU transfer, Medford led UNM in receiving yards (551) in 2023 before posting a team-high three touchdown catches the season after. But after former head coach Bronco Mendenhall left for Utah State in 2024, Medford felt his time at UNM had run its course and made the “toughest decision” to enter the transfer portal and find something new.
Utah State wanted him, he said. Utah, too. In the end, Kansas State was an option he felt he couldn’t pass up – Medford liked the program’s stability, another opportunity to prove himself in the Big 12 and everything else the Wildcats had to offer.
It didn’t go according to plan: Medford posted zero catches in four game appearances, a steep dropoff from his statistical profile at UNM. At the same time, Kansas State’s once-promising season ended with a disappointing 6-6 record and head coach Chris Klieman’s retirement.
When it was all over, Medford came back to his hometown of Henderson, Texas feeling lost. He not only knew he was done with the game, but felt like a “failure” to his family and friends for the way it all ended.
“I feel like I didn’t have love back home,” he said,” because I felt like I let everybody down.”
Time passed. Medford slowly gravitated back towards the baseball diamonds and grass fields of his youth, umpiring and coaching Little League games. He hosted training sessions for youth athletes.
Slowly, Medford found a new direction.
“I always enjoyed that … being out there and seeing those kids, they were just so happy,” he said.
And when Medford decided to formally give coaching a go — something he became even more interested in playing under Mendenhall — he had a preferred location in mind. He sent a text to Eck earlier this summer, asking if any graduate assistant — or G.A. — positions were available.
Eck called back.
“He was like, ‘hey, can you be here Monday?’” Medford laughed.
Since returning to UNM, Medford said he’s trying to absorb everything he can from the rest of the staff. In particular, sitting in on meetings with the rest of the offensive coaches has been an eye-opening experience.
“I might understand something,” he said, “But when they start talking, I don’t understand nothing. So I’m just being a sponge, just learning.”
He’s also been able to reflect on leaving UNM in the first place. On one hand, he has no regret — after all, the opportunity Kansas State represented was too good to pass up.
On the other: “Of course, there is a little (regret),” he admitted. “But I mean, honestly, it happens. We’re young, we should take risks and I wanted to take that risk.”
Most of all, he’s happy to be back — even if its a different role from when he was last with UNM.
“I tell the receivers every day, ‘I wish y’all could’ve seen me,’” he chuckled. “I’m one of those now.”
NOTE: Originally scheduled for 11 a.m., UNM’s first scrimmage of fall camp is now set to start Saturday at 10 a.m.
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.
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