I think Bob Stull may be trying to hire Sean Kugler as UTEP's next football coach. It's just a hunch. It's not a prediction.
Yes, Kugler is making more money as the offensive line coach with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers than UTEP can probably afford. Outgoing Coach Mike Price was only making in the $300.000s and was one of the lowest paid head coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision (big schools). So, yes, the phrase many are using in this coach search fits Kugler, too: "UTEP can't afford him."
But:
Kugler played for Stull and was a member of UTEP's 1988 Independence Bowl team in 1988. I'm thinking Stull knows Kugler will fit in well with El Pasoans. He was popular as a player. And now he's seasoned as a coach.
Stull could convince Kugler — tempt Kugler — by offering what so many in competitive sports cannot pass up. "Psst, Sean, you'll have the opportunity to be a major-college head coach. And you could be the one who finally turns this UTEP football around."
Yes, a good old rah-rah talk might convince Kugler to leave the NFL for Utepia.
What are you smoking Joe?
Posted by: georgeofthedesert | November 29, 2012 at 04:11 PM
Didn't the EP Times mention that Kugler said he wasn't interested in the job? That was according to sources. Besides, there are better candidates out there, whether they are experienced coaches or up and coming assistants.
Posted by: Adam | November 29, 2012 at 04:47 PM
Don't think that he will be interested. He would have to hire new coaches and rebuilt, maybe learn a new defense, a new offense. It would be another 3-8 year or even worst.
Posted by: Al | November 29, 2012 at 05:14 PM
Live in an NFL city, or El Paso?
UTEPs best bet is to hire a seasoned, senior citizen coach on his way down (like Price was 10 years ago); give him a 5 year guaranteed/incentive laden contract, and give him free reign. Better yet, unload Stull, add AD duties to his plate, and give him those dollars as well.
It's a model that can work at the mid-major level. Most guys want to continue to coach without the pressure in their golden years. They'll take a cut in pay, hire young assistants with a ton of energy, and continue the circle. That's basically what Bob Davie at UNM is doing. We get a respected CEO type coach, the assistants get experience, and the program advances.
Posted by: RickC | November 30, 2012 at 10:17 AM
From what I've heard (from guys that actually played with Kugler) he IS interested in the UTEP job. He is one tough dude and would bring discipline to the field. He played here and has coached at a winning program at Boise St. He has done a good job with the Steelers and would probably be a hell of a recruiter. Also, exactly how much do you all think an NFL O-line coach makes in the NFL? I think the new salary at UTEP will be fine (I would guess 500-600K plus incentives).
Posted by: David | December 01, 2012 at 12:10 AM
UTEP seems to be proud of the fact that it has the lowest head coaching salary in the C-USA. Price was $300,000 base plus incentives to bring it around $380,000 plus or minus. The head coaches in the MAC are making around the same thing. Sun Belt is a little higher. The problem is that Price's incentives were tied to attendence not performance. Further, most incentive deals require that the local money people pony up out of their own pockets TV deals, etc. El Paso doesn't have anyone to do that. In reality, the best we can hope for is a young coordinator from a mid-major with a winning program who will be gone in two or three years if he wins right away.
Posted by: georgeofthedesert | December 01, 2012 at 07:56 AM
Poor pay. Less future. Bad recruiting area. Poor football record. No fan support.
Sure, he'll be the next head coach.
Posted by: A Fan | December 01, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Funny how people say 500k is "poor pay". I think some heart surgeons don't make that much. Let's keep that in perspective people. Yes, UTEP doesn't have the money to throw a million dollars at a new coach, but if they get a hungry coach who is able to succeed and win then the revenue will come through increased attendance and payouts. Texas is a fertile recruiting ground. Even El Paso which is generating more and more D-1 players (the best of which are leaving). UTEP has great facilities and the fan base is big. Wins will change everything. It's happened at more isolated communities in weaker conferences with less significant fan bases. It will happen at UTEP.
Posted by: David | December 01, 2012 at 02:30 PM
I don't think coaches are basing their interest on the pay; it's the terrible administration and joke of an AD.
Until Dr. Natalicio leaves, and the college gets a leader with backbone, Austin will never let this college flourish in academics and athletics. She's had a medical school move-in on her watch, but under the management of another institution; and the university is incapable of servicing professional careers like law students, so they are subject to leave ELP, many never return.
Also, as someone alluded to in another post, the recruiting base in ELP is bad. Aside of the small percentage that can actually play (maybe 2%), the drop-off is too considerable to waste a scholarship. Most coaches will draw a 200 mile circle around a city on taking a new job, and direct their recruiters to at least get the best recruits in that area. With Mexico to the south, and New Mexico to the north/west, a coaching staff starts off at a considerable disadvantage for a team with a losing history.
UTEP and NMSU would be wise to move to a lower conference ASAP. The Big Sky is a respectable league.
Posted by: RickC | December 01, 2012 at 06:13 PM
Wrong. Boise St is more isolated, has no local talent and works on nearly the same budget. I don't buy this BS.
Posted by: David | December 01, 2012 at 07:50 PM
I don't know the last time you visited Boise, but it's a very nice place. Isolated? Sure, but they ensure they land in-state kids, and have a tremendous pipeline in California.
What's shocking is a program like K-state does well. That's a real caca hole.
Posted by: RickC | December 02, 2012 at 07:43 AM
David, a better comparison would be a state like California, and a program like Fresno State. Similar population ratios to TX, and Fresno State is on par with UTEP athletic department - only they're competitive.
Posted by: RickC | December 02, 2012 at 07:48 AM
i think you have a great site here... today was my first time coming here.. i just happened to find it doing a google search. anyway, great post.
Posted by: Nonprofit Donor Cultivation | December 31, 2012 at 03:28 PM
i think you have a great site here... today was my first time coming here.. i just happened to find it doing a google search. anyway, great post.
Posted by: Process Improvement Workshops | January 29, 2013 at 02:49 AM
i think you have a great site here... i just happened to find it doing a google search.
Posted by: Process Improvement Workshops | February 05, 2013 at 11:27 PM