He’s young. He’s energetic. He’s young. He’s experienced. He’s young. He’s eager.
Oh, and did I mention he’s young?
That’s Sean Kugler, UTEP’s new football coach. And after coach Mike Price, who retired at the age of 66 last month, he fulfills the wishes of many UTEP fans who have been clamoring for just such a change. Oh, they loved Mike Price. And they appreciate what Price did for the Miners. But some believe it was time to give a younger coach a chance.
Kugler is 46 years old and will bring new fire and discipline to the Miners’ struggling program.
Or so fans hope.
OF COURSE, there’s no guarantee of success regardless of age. UTEP has had some young coaches before. Some have been good, some have been downright awful.
Kugler, however, has pretty impressive credentials. After helping UTEP to its only 10-win season in 1988 as an offensive lineman, he was a successful high school coach.
Later, as an assistant coach in college and the pros, he was with the best of the best. Among other assistant coaching jobs, he was assistant offensive line coach at national college powerhouse Boise State that went undefeated in 2006 and then offensive line coach with National Football League powerhouse Pittsburgh from 2010 through this season. He’ll finish his stint with the Steelers this year.
Certainly, he’s picked up plenty of good football knowledge along the way.
BESIDES THOSE impressive credentials he has plenty of charisma. Fans loved him as a player under then coach Bob Stull. The media did, too. They still feel that way. He’s well spoken, outgoing and has a good sense of humor.
The whole town seemed to figuratively stand up and cheer his selection. Here’s a former star player who will be coming “home” although he was born in Lockport, N.Y. And he’ll have his wife, Patsy, and children Robert (19), Patrick (17) and Kali (11) with him.
As he pointed out in his first conference last Monday, two of those kids were conceived in El Paso. That drew cheers and laughter from the packed Larry K. Durham Sports Center crowd, which included many of his former UTEP teammates.
KUGLER SEEMS just as happy to come back to El Paso as El Paso is to have him here. At the press conference he started out by thanking UTEP president Diana Natalicio, UTEP athletic director Bob Stull, UTEP executive vice president Richard Adauto and selection committee member Chris Park then continued.
“ I’m thrilled to be back in El Paso,” he said. “It’s great to see old teammates and old friends and that is what makes El Paso unique — the quality of people. This is my first head coaching opportunity. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve been influenced by some outstanding coaches in my career, and I wish to only emulate some of them.”
HE ALSO gave a hint of his football coaching philosophy. He said:
“ I want to see a team that displays mental toughness. I want to see a team that plays smart. I want to see a team that plays with passion and that enjoys playing. I want to see a team that embraces each other and that’s what a true team is.
“I think it starts with recruiting those type of players, having those type of coaches on your staff and teaching them daily, teaching them how to conduct themselves, teaching them how to respond with situations and ultimately on the football field, teaching them situational football and how to respond in different situations on the football field. That gives you the best chance to have a successful program.”
Dr. Natalicio, in her speech at the press conference, said it was “a happy day” when Sean Kugler was named head football coach.
Many El Pasoans pray more happy days are ahead.