Price, Miners must show improvement in pivotal season

UTEP has suffered four straight losing seasons

After making some off-the-field mistakes that cost him an opportunity to attempt to turn around a then struggling Alabama program, UTEP took a chance when it hired once successful Washington State coach Mike Price.

The move paid huge dividends and the price was right. Well, that’s for atleast the first two years of his tenure. The Miners made significant strides on the field and recorded back-to-back bowl appearances after eight win regular seasons.

However, there hasn’t been much to cheer about since on the Mexican border.

UTEP has put up plenty of points in most of its contests, but poor defense has typically been what has done the Miners in.

Price, who is entering his seventh season in El Paso, has brought in Andre Patterson to attempt to address his defensive woes. Patterson, who spent time with Price at Weber State and Washington State in the early 1990’s, returns to the college game after a decade in the NFL as a defensive line coach.

The Miners have also lost their share of close games. During its 4-8 campaign in 2009, UTEP suffered five losses by a touchdown or less.

If the defense can deliver an improved performance, the Miners may very well be able to muster their much needed winning season and bowl berth.

UTEP begins its season on September 4th when FCS opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff visits the Sun Bowl.