From the press release:
"Former UTEP consensus All-American, Brian Natkin, has been named as the offensive line coach, head coach Mike Price announced on Tuesday. Natkin replaces co-offensive coordinator Bob Connelly, who recently departed to Arizona State. "
Three thoughts:
1. Given that Mike Price seems likely to retire after the season, and given that a new coach will probably come from outside the program and bring a mostly new staff with him, hiring one of the program's all-time greats who has been successful at the Division II level is a logical and nice move. He will be the second alum on the full-time staff, along with Robert Rodriguez, and if an all-returnee offensive line has a good year, Natkin would seem a strong candidate for a job on a new staff.
2. Bob Connelly didn't leave UTEP out of fears of being on a lame-duck staff. He left because joining the staff of a Pac-12 team is a clear step up.
3. Eric Price is still looking for a job. Could there be another change to come on the UTEP staff that would make room for him?
Didn't Eric Price recently accept the OC position with the new staff at Tulane? He would be a good hire and coach in waiting for UTEP but I believe they would have to pry him away from the Green Wave first.
Posted by: Steve | 12/21/2011 at 08:38 AM
Coach price should fire the worthless defensive coach, Patterson!
UTEP is still mired in mediocrity at best on defense. UTEP players can't tackle, block or defend the pass or the run, against any opponent!
Players play out of position, they are easily faked out and they tackle each other rather than their opponents!
Posted by: Roman | 12/22/2011 at 12:37 PM
UTEP has poor technique on defense. Effort has never been a problem, but poor tackling has been. The biggest problem I see is being out of position and leaving their feet to make a tackle. When a player dives to make a tackle, most don't make the tackle. Tackling drills are an everyday drill. A player learns by doing. Coach Patterson did improve the defense, but they have a ways to go.
Posted by: andyspringer | 12/23/2011 at 03:03 AM
Brian Natkin = Class Act
Posted by: Average Joe | 01/03/2012 at 12:55 PM