LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Head Coach Tony Sanchez has announced that veteran coach Jamie Christian will join the staff as the Aggies' running backs coach ahead of the 2026 campaign. Christian adds nearly 30 years of coaching experience, including 25 seasons as an assistant coach or graduate assistant at the collegiate level.
 
Christian's appointment marks his second stint on a staff led by Tony Sanchez. Christian was responsible for coaching the running backs at UNLV during Sanchez's first two seasons in Las Vegas. In his first year, Christian helped the Rebels improve from 102nd nationally (129.2 ypg) to 36th (193.7 ypg). In Christian's second season, UNLV ranked 15th nationally in rushing at 241.5 yards per game, its highest average since 1979.
 
"We're excited to welcome Coach Christian to NM State," Head Coach Tony Sanchez said. "He is a proven coach with experience developing players and contributing to successful programs. I had the opportunity to have him on my staff at UNLV and I've seen the hard work and leadership he brings to a staff every day. His experience coaching running backs at multiple levels will be a great asset to our program as we get ready for the season."
 
Christian arrives in Las Cruces after spending the past two seasons as Oregon State's special teams coordinator. He is familiar with the Land of Enchantment as he also served as the special teams coordinator at New Mexico from 2020-23 prior to his time in Corvallis, Ore.
 
At Oregon State, Christian helped punter Josh Green set the program's single season record for yards per punt (47.2) in 2024.
 
In addition to his time working with special teams, Christian also worked with the offense during his tenure at New Mexico, including coaching the Lobos' running backs in 2022. During his lone season coaching the position, New Mexico rushed for 1,889 yards and averaged 123.1 yards per game.
 
Ahead of his stint with New Mexico, Christian coached the running backs while also serving as the special teams coordinator at Fresno State (2017-19). In his first season, he helped a Bulldog backfield with limited experience eclipse 2,000 yards, marking the first time Fresno State accomplished this since 2014.
 
In 2018, Christian again guided the Bulldogs past the 2,000-yard rushing mark, helping Fresno State record consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons for the first time since 2008-09. Christian's second season with Fresno State was capped off by a win in the Las Vegas Bowl that saw sophomore running back Ronnie Rivers claim MVP honors after accounting for 212 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
 
Christian also helped Fresno State finish second in the Mountain West Conference for rushing touchdowns in 2019 with 27 scores on the ground, including 13 from Rivers, who tied for the MWC lead.
 
Christian also spent three seasons at Houston (2012-14), where he served as the special teams coordinator and worked with the tight ends and slot receivers. Christian also gained experience coaching special teams, running backs, tight ends and inside receivers during a five-year tenure at Oregon State (2007-11) before working at Houston.
 
Additionally, Christian spent one season each coaching running backs at Idaho (2006) and Sacramento State (2005) after working as defensive quality control for two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04).
 
Christian began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Oregon State, serving two seasons with the Beavers from 2000-01. There, he was a member of the coaching staff that led Oregon State to an appearance in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. He also coached cornerbacks at Northern Arizona for one season, doing so in 2002.
 
Before joining the coaching ranks, Christian played fullback at Fresno State from 1991-93 before transferring to Central Washington to close his career as a running back. In his lone season at Central Washington, he led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, while guiding the Wildcats to the 1995 NAIA Division II National Championship.
 
Christian has been part of seven bowl teams during his coaching career. This includes the 2018 Las Vegas Bowl, the 2017 Hawaii Bowl, the 2014 Armed Forces Bowl, the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl, the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl, the 2007 Holiday Bowl and the 2001 Fiesta Bowl.
 
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