A story posted on Sports Illustrated’s Web site Wednesday offers a bit of praise for Larry Coker after he announced his first recruiting victory.
Coker, the head football coach of UT-San Antonio, says he has received four commitments for his program, which will begin play in 2011 as a Football Championship Subdivision school (formerly Division I-AA).
One of those recruits was San Antonio’s own Chris Johnson.
Johnson, a 5-foot-9, 182-pound senior-to-be running back from East Central High School, has rushed for more than 3,000 yards during the last two seasons. He was offered a scholarship by several FBS schools including UTEP, according to Rivals.com.
This figures to be just the beginning of a slew of recruits that the Roadrunners will steal away from the Miners in the coming years. And with Coker’s goal of eventually joining Conference USA, UTEP better do something to compete for the signatures of recruits in this talent-rich state.
The best way for UTEP to put the brakes on a recruit exodus is to put UTSA on the schedule annually, at least the first few years of the football program’s existence. The winner of these games will likely nab the most recruits. And should the Miners lose consistently to an FCS team? Well, that should be interesting ...
Just something to keep an eye on.
what a crock of ****.
Posted by: joe | June 10, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Chris Johnson just wanted to stay close to home so he wouldn't miss his mom so much or his baby's momma. All this talk about UTSA becoming D-1... Texas State has a way better program and will beat them out for that spot. Wishful thinking leds to broken dreams.
Posted by: Keep Dreaming | June 11, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Two football players arrested on what sounds like pretty serious charges and no discussion?
Why isn't this story getting more press? Oh wait, this is UTEP we are talking about. (And you ALL know what I mean.) Wink, wink. Nod, nod. Nudge, nudge.
Posted by: PJ | June 14, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Oh no! They're taking all our players!
UTSA is a start up program. North Texas is in a great area also and I don't see them affecting UTEP or anyone else for that matter. Give them a decade or so to get established. Until then, they are no threat.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | June 15, 2009 at 12:52 PM
CLEO I usually agree with your takes or at least understand where you are coming from. UTSA is a start up program, but I give them about 5 years before they beat UTEP consistently on recruits. UTSA also being part of the UT system has support from Mack Brown himself, he spoke at a UTSA function and Larry Coker has visited Mack at his practices !!! When was the last time Mack Brown stepped up for UTEP, not including a post game congratulations.
San Antonio and UTSA are big time. These 3rd tier athletes know UT, Florida, etc. are out of the question. They are looking for proximity to their hometown, San Antonio is 4 hours from everywhere but El Paso. They are looking to play! UTSA offers this. They are looking for nice facilities, UTSA has them and they will play in the Alamodome ( 65k indoor stadium )......
KEEP A CLOSE EYE CLEO.
Posted by: UT John | June 16, 2009 at 03:53 PM
No doubt there is potential at UTSA. But right now it is just potential.
UTSA could potentially have a great on campus basketball arena, but for now, they have the 5100 seat convocation center.
They could potentially build a great strength training facility. The one they have now has 9 power racks compared to UTEP's 22. It is about the size of Montwood high's.
They do have a baseball stadium and UTEP doesn't have baseball. It does only seat 800, which is about the same as UTEP's softball field.
The Alamodome is great though. Only problem is it's not on campus which would be more attractive to recruits. Only potentially though.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | June 16, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Coker's a destroyer, not a builder. That's why he couldn't find a job after he destroyed the #1 college football program in the country - UMiami. He was handed that elite program from Butch Davis and from the moment he took charge he got outrecruited by every Florida school and the program slipped more and more each year. Look at the last NFL draft, one UMiami kid, one, was drafted and in the 6th round. Guess who was in charge of the recruiting class when that kid signed with UMiami.....Coker! UTEP's program will be just fine, no need to sweat Larry Coker.
Posted by: Orangefever | June 17, 2009 at 08:10 AM
I agree no need to sweat Larry Coker, but one should worry about San Antonio and UTSA, I am almost certain Larry will not be around in 5 years, most likely because of age !!!!
But with Big boosters signing up from San Antonio, the city and UTSA will position themselves nicely for the future.
Valero HQ in San Antonio just signed up to build a state of the art practice facility on the UTSA campus!!! One thing El Paso does not have going for the is corporate support that can make all the difference..
UTSA will not compete for big time recruits, they will try for kids that UTEP is getting or wants to get.
Posted by: Mack | June 17, 2009 at 08:27 AM
I have to wonder if the level of "paranoia", regarding UTSA, at Houston or Rice or SMU or Baylor or TCU or NMSU or New Mexico or even Texas Southern is even close to what I've seen on this forum. I think not! What I do think is that the only guy that I agree with, and that has it right, is the first poster (Joe) who says "what a crock of ****". Go Miners !
Posted by: Orangefever | June 24, 2009 at 05:54 PM