Time to introduce the coaching staff of UTEP. After facing Joe Taylor (FAMU) last week, the Bulls will take on another experienced head coach that has had a successful coaching career and will pose a challenge for Holtz and his staff. While the Miners may not a high powered team, they will be well coached and prepared for this game.
Head Coach Mike Price is in his 8th season at the helm at UTEP. Price has a long coaching career starting from Webster State, the heading to Washington State, and now at UTEP.
He has 170 wins during his coaching career, including two Rose Bowl appearances with Washington State back in 1997 and 2002 (big game experience for him, so playing in Tampa won't phase him one bit, his players will be ready to go).
During his time at UTEP, he has taken the Miners to three bowl games, 2004, 2005, and again in 2010. Last season, he led his team to a big upset win over then number twelve Houston, so the ranked Bulls will have to watch out for the Miners in this game due to the coaching ability of Price (they will want to knock us out during this game, can't let it happen).
Price usually coaches a high scoring team, although injuries and bad play have gotten the Miners off to a bit of a rough start in 2011, don't expect them to be down. Price has proven he is a great coach and will have this team prepared for the game.
Bob Connelly is the co-offensive coordinator for UTEP, he is also the offensive line coach. Connelly took over in 2008, since then the Miners have averaged 29.5 points per game, including 397.5 yards of total offense and a rushing attack that consistently gets 136.8 yards on the ground in each game (big challenge for defensive front here although they are bad to start this season).
Connelly is part of a unique offensive play-calling system in which he calls the run plays for the offense.
Connelly spent time under Price while at Washington State and since coming to UTEP, he consistently coaches a solid offensive line that is able to produce big numbers in the running game.
The other co-offensive coordinator is Aaron Price, entering his 8th season at UTEP. Price calls the passing plays on offense and runs the offense out of a traditional pro-style formation. Quarterbacks under his play calling consistently put up big numbers so the No Fly Zone team will have to be careful with his play selection in this game.
Andre Patterson is entering his second season as the defensive coordinator. In 2010, his defense held 4 teams to under 300 yards of total offense and under 24 points. This is the first time it has happened for the Miners since 1977, showing his great play calling.
His defense made 11 interceptions last season, but only had 14 sacks, the lowest for the Miners since 1985. The offensive line will have to protect Daniels and he will have to make sure not to make any mistakes against a secondary that will look to get turnovers to get the upset win.
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