Price exit would be friendly

Should the whole bottom fall out of UTEP football in the next four weeks, I don't see Mike Price making an ugly departure as head coach. I look for a back room deal that he'll quietly accept. There will be smiles at the exit press conference. Price is a class act.

But history will show that even coaches who were successful at a higher level, as was Price, can get UTEPed just like the rest of them. Bob Stull was the only winner since the 1960s.

Just look at all the gravestones up on UTEP's Got The Boot Hill.

Remember, too, that when it's come to tough personnel decisions (on firing or hiring) the No. 1 decision-maker has been President Diana Natalicio.

If one wants to read between the lines, she had a strong statement recently regarding UTEP's venture toward Tier One status (becoming a foremost research institute). She said athletics would have to play a part. Football is not playing its part.

Insiders have long said it was Natalicio who pulled the plug on former popular basketball assistant Rus Bradburd — because Head Coach Don Haskins refused to do it amid one of the NCAA investigations way back when.

Recall how insiders said the hiring of Price, in the first place, had to get through a discerning Natalicio. Price was amid his Alabama woes then.

Some say it was Natalicio who finally convinced Haskins to retire. He'd hung on for a long time, and UTEP basketball wasn't getting better.

I still say UTEP won't win again this season, will finish 5-7 and be on a six-game losing streak. If that happens, Natalico, AD Stull and Price will sit down and forge a deal.

But I'll also say this: Name a better coach for UTEP than Price. No, not Mike Leach. He's too big ($$$) for UTEP.

In the past 30 years, UTEP has tried just about every kind of coach. Young, old, smaller-school successes (Bill Yung) and Price, who coached Washington State to two Rose Bowl appearances.

UTEPed — again.

Comments

[Dragen]

Hey, if coach Price wins one, the season is golden. If he wins two, he'll be a hero. If he loses the rest of the games, 5-7 isn't the worst record on the planet.

[Brad]

Joe,

You are a real horses rear.

[will]

get mike leach!!

[Chris]

Brad,

I think your the horses rear!! You are just like alot of people from here in El Paso that settle for an okay season or next season will be better or as posted above 5-7 isnt the worst record on the planet?? Are you serious what happened with WINNING IT ALL or at least some heart! All this starts with COACHING!! Recruiting, Offenses, Defenses etc...Its quite obvious this team lacks discipline and truly believe the Price is too soft! He can be nice a guy to everybody but that goes back to his years here in el paso where he is comfortable with a losing record! Enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!! Get him out and struggle with a new coach with more discipline!!

[joe john]

Hey would it be fair to get rid of Price, Not at all, he didn't ditch El Paso like Bob Stull did, besides Joe let me remind you negative brain those were Bill Young's players sir, let me remind you that Bob Stull left UTEP, and it when I was on tthe feild I could here people cryiny like you Joe, saying will Mike Price leave or when, he never bailed out on us, so Natalicio is also old, should we get rid of her because UTEP isn't a tear one school yet?, we are twenty years behing Joe, so remember if Mike Price honored the contract, so we should give him another chance, El Paso is a humble city and I like a lot of people want Price to stay and you Joe to leave the El Paso Times blog section, El Paso Times its time for a new UTEP blogger!Thank You

[George in H Town]

You're right Joe about Price being a class act. Two big failures though, reliance on family to coach (his son's don't impress me) and close friends (Patterson) and inability to recruit. The later is not an easy prospect for UTEP going forward, and it is something that any coach is going to have to put up with. Furhter, until the city fathers in El Paso step up and put money into the kitty, and support the program rather than sending their kids and money to UT, Baylor, A & M and Texas Tech, the school will never do anything. UT is never going to support the branch schools, so it has to be done on the local level. It is being done in San Antonio in a big way, and the is talk in Dallas of UTD starting a football program. Local money is coming forward to support the program at Lamar. The alumni at Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin are ponying up the money for those schools to move up to Division I. Houston has its own money problems and Rice doesn't care. The only way it is going to be done is if the town setps up. I first attended Texas Western in 1963 and graduated from UTEP in 1972. There was no support from the town then, there is no support now. Unfortunately that dooms the program

[Brad]

Chris,

My beef with Muench is that all he knows how to do is to tear down others. A mediocre football program at UTEP is miles away from what it was before Price... an absolutely crappy program. Luck plays a bigger part on whether UTEP has a winning season or not... that luck is predicated on first string players not getting hurt. When he loses key players for part or all of the season (like Amy, Kemp and Cullumber) the kids behind them are usually unable to compensate. UTEP really does not have the depth to compensate that is why the team tends to crumble at this time of the year... the injuries finally take their toll. Remember, UTEP is at the back of the feeding trough for Texas talent. It is a testament to the level of talent in Texas that UTEP is still able to find capable first string player while feeding 8-10 place on the line. My only grand criticism of Price is that I do believe that he does not adequately explore the local talent or he does a poor job of scouting them. There are more potential gems than most people are aware and he would be able to address the depth problem in some positions quite adequately with some of our local kids.

[rj]

In a weird way, Price was his own worst enemy when it came to the expectations because he talked such a good game and led UTEP fans to believe he could turn the program around for good. The 2 winning seasons helped his cause, but it also showed a disturbing trend early that none of us I think fully realized. His teams were soft coming down the stretch those first 2 years, we blew a bowl game against Colo and blew the c-usa title his 2nd year.
Its been a downward spiral ever since and while CMP continues to talk a good game at the start of every year, this season it just didnt fly and it shows in the fans and in the stands. Bottom line is I personally feel he's run out of time and unless somehow, someway we make a bowl game and play well in it, then maybe he can save his job.
I just think we can't be afraid to go after a young upcoming coach if CMP loses out. We all know he'll leave for greener pastures if the program succeeds but heck i'd take that anyday. Look at the model with our basketball team, weve lost young, good coaches, but we continue to do well and be competitive. Maybe its the history of UTEP BBall, maybe Joe's right and UTEP football is just somewhere coaches go to die.

[Paydirt Pedro]

@ JoeJohn, he wanted the Arizona State job and was a finalist but they chose Dennis Erickson, so don't make it sound like the guy has stuck with us through thick and thin, he wanted to leave he just didn't get hired.

@Brad, "miles ahead of where it was before Price"? How? I'm 30 years old and this is exactly how I remember UTEP Football my whole life, those other years they just didn't play 3 PowderPuff Schools to start the year. Please tell me why this program is so much better right now with Price? I've asked that question 3 different times and no one can answer it? It seems like there are 2 or 3 arrests or incidents with Police every year, what has this guy done that I'm missing that makes him so great for our community?

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Coaches have different styles. You have players coaches and then you have disciplinarians. Mike Price came in and was a mean sob his first year. He has always been media and fan friendly. He softened his approach with his team over the next few years and that got him into trouble. He couldn't get his players to focus and the lack of discipline showed on the playing field. He has tried to recapture his hard approach this year but you can't just turn it on and off.

When we get a new coach, I'm sure his style will play a big part in the decision to hire him. A mean, no nonsense coach would be welcome. The downside is the internal battles with the modern spoiled player. We have trouble getting quality football athletes at UTEP as it is.

Then there is the players coach. The guy who is encouraging and positive when they make mistakes. All well and good but when do you lay down the law and decide they just need a good kick in the butt? Maybe bench them or release them from the team.

Mike Price has a media style that is a double edged sword as well. He is positive and friendly and that is often interpreted as him being complacent. He is really just trying to keep morale up on his team and get the fans to go to the games. But when the team is losing and the players are losing heart, it makes him look clueless.

The bottom line is winning cures all. You could be sarcastic and surly to the media like Bobby Knight was as long as you're winning. You can get away with borderline player abuse like Knight did and everyone is ok as long as you're winning. I predict we'll get back to a more disciplined approach with a coach who is not nearly as charismatic as Price. Let's just hope we win.

[Stahala]

Paydirt Pedro pleads, "Please tell me why this program is so much better now with Price?" The answer is simple. 2 bowl games and 5-7 seasons as oppose to 2-10 seasons. "Better" is the key word in your question. Also now that we are better, the idea of improvement at UTEP has now proven possible. 5-7 seasons show that UTEP is capable of reaching bowl games on a yearly basis, even though the program has failed to reach its full capabilities. The bar for Price was improving on 2-10 seasons. He did that. Now, because of Price, UTEP fans will expect nothing less than bowl appearances from the next coach. This is a better program. Finally, someone has answered you, Paydirt Pedro.

I've been one of Mike Price's biggest supporters on this blog, always answering back at the "Fire Price!" comments with "Who are we going to get that will do better?" But now, it appears it is time to answer this question. There is really no one, except maybe Leach, but that is a long shot. Our best chance for success is a young unproven up and comer. Yes, if he is successful, he will leave for a better job, but so what? At least UTEP will continue to be a program that doesn't tolerate losing, even if we have to do it every few years.

On a brighter note: UTEP basketball is almost here!

[jUTEP]

Don't let the door hit your fat a/s/s on the way out!

FIRE PRICE NOW!!!

[Sal]

Joe is simply stating what is clearly in front of us, that is, Utep producing another losing season, after they (Mike Price & Bob Stull) both stressed that they designed this seasons schedule with patsies in order to show wins. How can many of you not see that this is not happening, and we're still losing to really bad teams? I really have a hard time reading those so called true miner fans, die hards, who continuously state that they support the miners thru bad and yes bad seasons, time and time again. I really like coach Price, but something has to change!!! I'm tired of losing seasons.

[Paydirt Pedro]

hahaha, ok, thanks for clearing that up Stahala. I guess 5-7 is better than 2-9 or 2-10. You didn't mention that I asked "why this program is so much better now with Price?", but technically I guess we are "better". I thought we meant like winning seasons but obviously are standards aren't that high!!

[Stahala]

Paydirt Pedro, what do you mean I didnt mention what you asked? I quoted you exactly. Im not happy with 5-7 seasons. I dont think anyone is. It can be considered an even bigger let down than a 2-10 season because of the "so close" factor. This proves that our standards are set for having winning season. But still, improvement is always better than no change. And this is the key argument for Price supporters. Even though our standards for excellence have not been reached, it cannot be denied that our program has seen significant improvement, and also because of Price, the name UTEP has been more recognizable on the national scene during the past 7 years. But now, even I, a Price supporter, must concede that his time at UTEP is up. Its time to give a "young, up and comer" an opportunity to improve on what Mike Price has already improved.

[Stahala]

Yo fellow Miner Die-Hards, you're going to the basketball game tonight, right?(plenty of evening will be left to go hit up the Halloween parties after) Hope so. Joe, hope to see a blog post on it, even if its only an exhibition. Yes, yes UTEP football is playing Marshall today, you all know Im gonna listen to every second of the game, hoping they will surprise us all and get that W. But you all know basketball is priority at UTEP. GO MINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FEDUP]

Blaming the coaches for poor player's performance makes no sense. It's the players that are to blame. Obviously, these players are not up to division 1A standards! Can you blame the coaches for bringing in players that no other school wants?
These players are the left over scraps!
The ineptness by players that we are currently witnessing is the direct result of the poor quality that UTEP is able to attract here!
Look at Trevor Vittatoe. This senior QB is still making freshmen mistakes! Missing open recievers, bonehead play after bonehead play, et., etc., etc.... Right before the end of the first half, Vittatoe spikes the ball on third down!!!
Let's face it, UTEP is just not a very good football team!
Basically, UTEP just sucks!!!

[Paydirt Pedro]

Hey Stahala, I asked for "so much better" and you clarified and yes quoted me that we are just "better", that's what I meant genius. That's why i found it comical that we have fans that are happy that we win 5 games a year with this "awesome" football coach.

[Stahala]

I am a genius, and you shouldn't mock that. Dude! Go back and read my first response to you. It does say "so much better". You are obviously not a good reader, and desperate to win an argument. If you would read my post carefully, you would see that it says NO ONE IS HAPPY with winning 5 games a year. Also you should be able to infer that no one thinks Price is "awesome", but rather an improvement on the past, and more importantly, the best UTEP could do on our budget. Please don't distort my argument. Let me be clear. This is the mentality of Price supporters, PRIOR to this season. Let me be even more clear for your simple mind. This mentality DOES NOT AT ALL suggest that fans are happy with losing seasons. That is completely illogical. Any fan of any team of any sport anywhere in the world would not be happy with a losing team. What is logical, is to praise improvement. However, this does not mean satisfaction has been reached. By definition, improvement means not yet having reached one's standards or goals, it simply means BEING CLOSER to one's standards or goals, whether it is only one step closer, or one step away, it is still improvement, and that is my argument, that UTEP has improved. I feel compelled to repeat myself again. I am NOT arguing that Price supporters are satisfied with this improvement, rather that UTEP under Price is "so much better" than it was in the past. The proof is in that going into every year under Price, including this year, a bowl game was extremely possible. How could you possibly perceive that disappointment after disappointment would leave some fans happy? That is absolutely not the case. Price supporters are logical. The logic is as follows: Until UTEP can find a coach that will do better than 5-7, there is no sense in replacing a man who has improved the team. Think of it this way: Imagine you have a girlfriend whose looks are a "4" on a scale of 1-10, and you know you're not gonna be happy until you're dating at least an "8". Well luck strikes you and you do find this "8" that is willing to be with you, so you leave your "4". But after a couple of years she starts getting chubby, bringing her down to a "7" and eventually down to a "6". So now you're looking at other girls, and there aren't any "8"s interested in you. Under your mentality, this is what you(paydirt pedro) would do, you would immediately dump your girlfriend who is now a "6" and go back to dating "4"s, merely outta spite. Me? Id rather keep the "6" until I found an "8" willing to date me. Paydirt Pedro, you shouldn't get into arguments with geniuses because you will embarrassed. Oh, you're not embarrassed? Don't lie son, it is always embarrassing to lose an argument.

[Paydirt Pedro]

hahaha, Stahala, you are a genius I had no business messing with you!! Your numerical breakdown is impressive and your use of a dictionary more so!! Way to go Bro, you won, you won!!! Please repeat yourself again and while you're at it post a pic of your wife so we can all be clear what a "4" looks like. I haven't dipped in those waters in several years, I stay above the "8" barrier!!!

[Stahala]

No "4"s over here! Seriously, my wife is hot. I wouldn't be married so young if she wasn't. And I never suggested you dated "4"s, it was an imagined scenario to help get my point across, I'm sure you're big pimpin. Its not hard in this city, so many hotties, and alotta ugly dudes. Anyways, glad we're cool. GO MINERS!

[Paydirt Pedro]

Very cool Stahala, very cool!! Go Miners!!