Price takes over as UTEP's interim coach

Oct 3, 2017 - 1:54 AM Mike Price is returning to coach the Texas El-Paso football on an interim basis, the school announced Monday.

The move comes one day after Sean Kugler announced his resignation following an 0-5 start to the season. Kugler's resignation is the first coaching change involving an FBS school this season.

Price, 71, spent nine seasons as the head coach at UTEP, re-signing in November 2012. He is one of two coaches in school history to guide the program to three bowl games.

"I've asked Mike if he could help us in this situation," said Miners athletic director Bob Stull. "He has thankfully agreed. We've lost two coaches, and while we have two fine coordinators who are capable of doing the job, I just felt like it was important to bring in somebody with head coaching experience that is familiar with El Paso and our program."

Price, who was succeeded by Kugler at UTEP, also spent 14 seasons at Washington and led the Huskies to five bowl appearances. He will meet with the team Tuesday and hold his first practice Wednesday.

"I was surprised and flattered by Bob's call and appreciate the opportunity to help this program one more time," Price said. "I am not interviewing for the future job, and I'm not going to be the future head coach. I'm going to manage the program and provide leadership for the rest of the year."

Price's success at Washington led to an ill-fated and brief stint as head coach at Alabama. He took the job in December 2002 but was fired the following May without ever coaching a game for the Crimson Tide because of an incident at a strip club.