UTEP: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2024–now

Scotty Walden Steady

Scotty Walden held UTEP at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.

2026 offense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad

−0.4 pts over 3 seasons · top 35% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dave Christensen’s Wyoming run (2009–2013)

15th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Dana Dimel (2018–2023).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	3-9	2-10	1-7
Postseason	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#83	#70	#92
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	45.5	52.2	38.7
Coordinators
OC	Jake Brown / Ryan Stanchek	Mark Cala / Ryan Stanchek	Lanear Sampson / Joe Pappalardo
DC	J. J. Clark / Kelvin Sigler	Kelvin Sigler / Bobby Daly	Kelvin Sigler / Kyle Beyer
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	11	6	3
Defense	70	58	5
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	45.2	51.9	45.1
Red-zone pass%	37.5	38.2	59.1
4th-down go%opp. territory	32.4	46.7	50.0

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and outperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-30.9 pts

#199 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

+23.3 pts

#21 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A portal-built roster.

Portal arrivals

3.0★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-23

#24 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′1″, 217 lbs

across 50 of 74 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

-3.4 lbs

#254 of 255 · bottom quarter

Avg. class year

#25 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: TX (12), FL (7), AL (6), GA (4), LA (3)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

52.8

position-weighted

Talent lost

55.2

position-weighted

Net

-2.4

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Malachi Nelson (QB) from Boise State

Biggest loss: Malachi Nelson (QB) to Syracuse

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Jake Brown / Ryan Stanchek (co) → Mark Cala / Ryan Stanchek (co) · 2025

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 45.2% → 51.9% (+6.7 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 100% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Mark Cala / Ryan Stanchek (co) → Lanear Sampson / Joe Pappalardo (co) · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 51.9% → 45.1% (-6.7 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only -1% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: J. J. Clark / Kelvin Sigler (co) → Kelvin Sigler (co) / Bobby Daly · 2025

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Kelvin Sigler (co) / Bobby Daly → Kelvin Sigler (co) / Kyle Beyer · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

199 lbs

6′1″ avg · #712 of 767 · bottom quarter

Running back

195 lbs

5′10″ avg · #750 of 791 · bottom quarter

Wide receiver

179 lbs

5′11″ avg · #775 of 791 · bottom quarter

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

306 lbs

6′5″ avg · #496 of 779 · middle half

D-line

268 lbs

6′4″ avg · #678 of 753 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

218 lbs

6′1″ avg · #732 of 772 · bottom quarter

Cornerback

195 lbs

6′2″ avg · #148 of 771 · top quarter

Safety

196 lbs

6′0″ avg · #202 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Buys Running back via the portal

70%

#32 of 208 stints

Buys Linebacker via the portal

59%

#51 of 225 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

AI Narratives — “UTEP — stat check”.

−0.4

6-26

2018–2023

Dana Dimel Steady

Dana Dimel held UTEP at Regional Program V for 6 seasons.

2019 defense ranked in the 2th percentile nationally — historically bad

−2.4 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 34% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike MacIntyre’s Colorado run (2013–2018)

14th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Mike Price (2017) · succeeded by Scotty Walden (2024–now).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Record & result
Record	1-11	1-11	3-5	7-6	5-7	3-9
Postseason	—	—	—	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#127	#111	#129	#127	#124	#120
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	43.1	43.0	44.4	43.2	45.1	42.5
Coordinators
OC	Mike Canales	Mike Canales	Mike Canales	Dave Warner	Dave Warner	Scotty Ohara
DC	Mike Cox	Mike Cox	Mike Cox	Bradley Dale Peveto	Bradley Dale Peveto	Bradley Dale Peveto
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	4	36	37	65	44	36
Defense	44	2	52	50	58	30
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	34.0	43.8	32.1	33.4	39.7	32.1
Red-zone pass%	26.2	38.1	14.9	30.9	35.6	31.1
4th-down go%opp. territory	22.2	38.5	42.1	31.2	44.7	48.8

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+1.2 pts

#105 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

+2.1 pts

#90 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

2.2★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-18

#180 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′1″, 195 lbs

across 4 of 7 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

-1.3 lbs

#243 of 255 · bottom quarter

Avg. class year

#11 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: MO (1), KS (1), GA (1), TX (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

16.2

position-weighted

Talent lost

41.8

position-weighted

Net

-25.6

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Dre Spriggs (WR) from UTSA

Biggest loss: Jakolby Longino (QB) to Lamar

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Mike Canales → Dave Warner · 2021The offense improved

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 38.0% → 36.6% (-1.4 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 105% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Dave Warner → Scotty Ohara · 2023

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 39.7% → 32.1% (-7.6 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 54% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Mike Cox → Bradley Dale Peveto · 2021The defense improved

2-season window either side.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

210 lbs

6′3″ avg · #459 of 767 · middle half

Running back

210 lbs

5′11″ avg · #292 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

188 lbs

5′11″ avg · #600 of 791 · bottom quarter

Tight end

245 lbs

6′2″ avg · #377 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

313 lbs

6′4″ avg · #243 of 779 · middle half

D-line

278 lbs

6′2″ avg · #506 of 753 · middle half

Edge

240 lbs

6′2″ avg · #170 of 188 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

227 lbs

6′1″ avg · #447 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

186 lbs

5′11″ avg · #576 of 771 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Quarterback from high school

75%

#164 of 206 stints

Postseason detail2021: Lost to Fresno State 24-31 PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: Tyrice Knight (2024), Elijah Klein (2024)

−2.4

20-49

2004–2012, 2017

Mike Price Steady

Mike Price moved UTEP from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 10 seasons.

2017 offense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad

+8.3 pts over 10 seasons · bottom 34% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Ken Niumatalolo’s Navy run (2007–2022)

7th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Gary Nord (2000–2003) · succeeded by Sean Kugler (2013–2017) · returned in 2017 · succeeded by Dana Dimel (2018–2023).

Season	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2017
Record & result
Record	8-4	8-4	5-7	4-8	5-7	4-8	6-7	5-7	3-9	0-7
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	—	—	—	—	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#112	#71	#69	—	—	—	#85	#120	#106	#129
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	46.4	53.6	60.8	52.7	54.7	51.3	51.2	49.3	45.2	48.8
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Brent Pease
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Tom Mason
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	44	89	51	61	67	65	16	63	46	0
Defense	70	62	31	48	13	15	6	17	17	27
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	41.3	47.7	52.9	47.3	44.9	50.0	45.5	44.8	34.8	37.4
Red-zone pass%	36.5	41.1	55.6	42.9	53.4	36.8	42.4	42.1	35.3	34.1
4th-down go%opp. territory	27.3	32.3	26.7	20.0	18.5	38.1	21.2	28.9	27.3	22.7

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-30.9 pts

#199 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

-6.7 pts

#136 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2004: Lost to Colorado 28-33 Bowl2005: Lost to Toledo 13-45 Bowl2010: Lost to BYU 24-52 New Mexico Bowl

8 NFL Draft picks: Adrian Ward (2005), Thomas Howard (2006), Johnnie Lee Higgins (2007), Jordan Palmer (2007), Oniel Cousins (2008), Quintin Demps (2008), Marcus Thomas (2008), Will Hernandez (2018)

+8.3

48-68

2013–2017

Sean Kugler Steady

Sean Kugler slid the Miners from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.

2017 offense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad

−6.0 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Tyrone Willingham’s Notre Dame run (2002–2004)

10th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Mike Price (2004–2012) · succeeded by Mike Price (2017).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Record & result
Record	2-10	7-6	5-7	4-8	0-5
Postseason	—	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#120	#117	#127	#123	#129
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	35.4	33.4	46.3	44.4	48.8
Coordinators
OC	—	Patrick Higgins	Patrick Higgins	Brent Pease	Brent Pease
DC	—	Scott Stoker	Scott Stoker	Tom Mason	Tom Mason
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	20	16	7	19	0
Defense	7	25	64	25	27
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	29.0	30.4	37.7	29.1	37.4
Red-zone pass%	31.8	28.6	58.9	32.6	34.1
4th-down go%opp. territory	33.3	21.2	12.9	50.0	22.7

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-21.0 pts

#180 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

+6.7 pts

#72 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2014: Lost to Utah State 6-21 Gildan New Mexico Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: Aaron Jones (2017), Will Hernandez (2018)

−6.0

18-36

2000–2003

Gary Nord Steady

Gary Nord slid UTEP from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 4 seasons.

−2.4 pts over 4 seasons · top 46% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Sean Lewis’s San Diego State run (2024–now)

8th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Charlie Bailey (1993–1999) · succeeded by Mike Price (2004–2012).

Season	2000	2001	2002	2003
Record & result
Record	8-4	2-9	2-10	2-11
Postseason	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail2000: Lost to Boise State 23-38 Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Menson Holloway (2001), Lee Mays (2002), Trey Darilek (2004)

−2.4

14-34

1993–1999

Charlie Bailey Steady

Charlie Bailey held the Miners at Regional Program V for 7 seasons.

−4.3 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 25% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Steve Addazio’s Boston College run (2013–2019)

12th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed David Lee (1989–1993) · succeeded by Gary Nord (2000–2003).

5 NFL Draft picks: Barron Wortham (1994), David Terrell (1998), Paul Smith (2000), Brian Young (2000), Leif Larsen (2000)

−4.3

19-53-1

1989–1993

David Lee Steady

David Lee held the Miners at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.

+0.4 pts over 5 seasons · top 32% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Sean Lewis’s Kent State run (2018–2022)

9th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Bob Stull (1986–1988) · succeeded by Charlie Bailey (1993–1999).

3 NFL Draft picks: Reggie Barrett (1991), Ed Bunn (1993), Barron Wortham (1994)

+0.4

11-41-1

1986–1988

Bob Stull Steady

Bob Stull moved UTEP from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 3 seasons.

+5.0 pts over 3 seasons · top 14% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rick Rasnick’s Eastern Michigan run (1995–1999)

11th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Yung (1982–1985) · succeeded by David Lee (1989–1993).

Season	1986	1987	1988
Record & result
Record	4-8	7-4	10-3
Postseason	—	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—

Postseason detail1988: Lost to Southern Miss 18-38 Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: Tony Tolbert (1989), Chris Jacke (1989)

+5.0

21-15

1982–1985

Bill Yung Steady

Bill Yung held UTEP at Regional Program VI for 4 seasons.

−0.8 pts over 4 seasons · top 36% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Brad Scott’s South Carolina run (1994–1998)

16th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Billy Alton (1981) · succeeded by Bob Stull (1986–1988).

3 NFL Draft picks: Kevin Belcher (1983), Carlos Scott (1983), Mike Smith (1985)

−0.8

7-39

1981

Billy Alton Short tenure

1-8

1977–1981

Bill Michael Steady

Bill Michael slid the Miners from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 4 seasons.

−6.0 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Tyrone Willingham’s Notre Dame run (2002–2004)

13th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Gil Bartosh (1974–1976) · succeeded by Billy Alton (1981).

1 NFL Draft pick: Bubba Garcia (1980)

−6.0

5-43

1974–1976

Gil Bartosh Steady

Gil Bartosh slid UTEP from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 3 seasons.

−4.7 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 38% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Paul Haynes’s Kent State run (2013–2017)

6th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Tommy Hudspeth (1973) · succeeded by Bill Michael (1977–1981).

−4.7

6-28

1973

Tommy Hudspeth Short tenure

0-11

1965–1972

Robert Dobbs Builder

Robert Dobbs raised the Miners from Regional Program IV to National Program II.

+20.2 pts over 8 seasons · top 3% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Gary Barnett’s Northwestern run (1992–1998)

1st-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Warren Harper (1963–1964) · succeeded by Tommy Hudspeth (1973).

17 NFL Draft picks: Chuck Hughes (1967), Bill Wilkerson (1967), Fred Carr (1968), George Daney (1968), Charles West (1968), Robert Wallace (1968), Billy Stevens (1968), Thurman Randle (1968) + 9 more

+20.2

41-35-2

1963–1964

Warren Harper Short tenure

3-15-2

1962

Bum Phillips Short tenure

4-5

1957–1961

Ben Collins Steady

Ben Collins slid the Miners from National Program II to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.

−9.8 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 14% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charlie Strong’s Texas run (2014–2016)

2nd-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Mike Brumbelow (1950–1956) · succeeded by Bum Phillips (1962).

−9.8

18-29-1

1950–1956

Mike Brumbelow Steady

Mike Brumbelow held UTEP at National Program II for 7 seasons.

−7.8 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 11% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bo Pelini’s Nebraska run (2003 (1 game), 2008–2014)

3rd-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Jack Curtice (1946–1949) · succeeded by Ben Collins (1957–1961).

−7.8

46-24-3

1946–1949

Jack Curtice Steady

Jack Curtice held UTEP at National Program II for 4 seasons.

4th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Mike Brumbelow (1950–1956).

National Program II

24-13-3

1936–1941

Mack Saxon Steady

Mack Saxon held UTEP at National Program III for 6 seasons.

5th-best UTEP tenure of 16 by the numbers.

National Program III

31-20-5