UTEP’s Definition of a True Utility Player 6

Spotlight on UTEP’s New Football Coach Al Simmons 8

UTEP’s New Class of Receivers 10

One-on-one with Mike Price 13

The Final Word 16

VOL 1 ISSUE 13 APRIL 13, 2011

MINERILLUSTRATED

MINERILLUSTRATED

VOL I ISSUE 13 APRIL 13, 2011

It’s hard to believe that we’re already half way through April.

Softball season is almost over while spring football is in full swing. But with the end of this year’s sports’ seasons drawing closer, we at MI can’t help but look ahead at what next year will bring in UTEP sports.

Spring ball may only be halfway done, but things are already looking good for the Miners’ fall season. Chris delves into what we can expect out of the football team this upcoming year with his “state of the union” feature.

With all the new talent on the football team, you can be sure that next season’s season will be exciting to say the least. I profile what may be the youngest unit on the football squad, the wide receivers, and explain how the newcomers will need to step up quickly to ensure Miner success. While Gus speaks to the newest member of the coaching staff, Al Simmons, and provides us a look at what a positive impact Simmons will have on UTEP football.

As for softball; the season may not be turning out as the team would have hoped, but a few stars have shone through for the Miners. Alex spotlights one of the more versatile players of the team, Kayleigh Walts, and explains why she has been so essential to the squad this year.

For all you basketball fans, the Final Word is just for you as Josh explains why next year’s basketball squad, though young, may surprise us all.

As always, we have softball scores from Around the League and phenomenal photographs by Jeff. And as usual, we at MI thank you for your continued support.

If you have not had a chance to see UTEP’s teams in action, now would be the time. Before you know it, this year will be over, and you will only have next year to forward to.

And I guarantee if you see the talent UTEP has, you too will be eagerly awaiting next season.

Rebecca Frazier Burch

a publication of Shamrock Media LLC

CHRIS AVILAPRESIDENT

REBECCA FRAZIER BURCHEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

JEFF TAYLORCHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

GUS CONTRERASANGEL LUNA

ALEX MORALESJOSH PUGA“UTEP66”

STAFF WRITERS

DANNY LEVARIODIRECTOR OF BUSINESS

OPERATIONS

SUZETTE THOMPSONMAGAZINE DESIGN

Letters to the editor, general feedback and advertising

inquiries:show@minerillustrated.com

Cover photo: Senior pitcher

Courtney Auger hurled the ball

down the pipeline this past

weekend against the Houston

Cougars. Jeff Taylor

From The EDITOR

Junior Chelsea Troupe got the tag at the plate on Houston’s Haley Outon during Saturday’s doubleheader at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. The Miners lost both games as well as Troupe, who was taken out by Brooke Lathan on a dirty play at the plate. Jeff Taylor

THE BIG PICK

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M

WALTS ISTEAM’S TRUE DEFINITION OF A UTILITTY PLAYER

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runs so far and shows no signs of slowing down at the plate. Along with all her potential on the field, Walts has proven that she is the true student-athlete by performing just as well in the classroom. As a freshman, she was named to the 2010 Conference USA Academic Honor Roll and was a C-USA Academic Finalist. With her commitment to the classroom and her experience on the field, Walts’ production has provided stability to an injury-plagued squad. Walts has only seen a season like this once before and that was last year when the squad also took a hit from the injury-bug. “Last year we had about the same amount (of injuries), but different kinds,” Walts said. “It’s rough, but it seems as if this team has a curse with injuries.” In the past, UTEP has always found a way to bounce back when faced with adversity. Yet this year, Walts and her teammates have found it hard to overcome the loss of leaders on the team. Especially since, the softball season is a marathon not a sprint. In order for UTEP to achieve success, the team will have to look adversity in the eye and overcome all its obstacles. The flexibility that Walts provides has given the coaches the option of having a fresh player behind the plate when she takes some of the load off her teammate, junior Chelsea Troupe. “Kayleigh has started a lot of games for us,” co-head coach James Rodriguez said. “Her and Troupe have been taking turns back there behind the plate. Kayleigh has been great all year long at catching and at first base.” Senior Kia Moore is pleased that Walts, with all her talent, can contribute to the team in different ways. With senior Cami Carrera out for the year, and Troupe injured in a scary collision against Houston, Walts was immediately inserted into the lineup at both positions and has not missed a beat defensively. Even though Walts is not as scary at

the plate as Carrera and Troupe, Moore knows how essential Walts is to a team that has been devastated game after game with injury after injury. “Kayleigh has been a big asset as everyone has been to the team,” Moore said. “She’s a great catcher, just like Troupe. When Troupe is down, it’s great to bring someone else in.” As a utility player, Walts does not care where she is playing as long as she is on the field helping her team to the best of her ability. This mentality has helped fuel her motivation and has made her well skilled in multiple positions. Walts can come in at a moment’s notice and does whatever the coaches ask her to do. “I do what my coaches tell me to do,” Walts said. “I like first; I like catching so wherever they need me to help them out, I am willing to go.” Her approach to the game of softball is what has made Walts great. She is not intimidated by anyone and does not fear anything that can happen while playing the game. “You have to take the game at any position, a pitch at a time,” Walts said. “No matter what, you can never play with too much fear.” Being behind the plate is the most grueling position on the field because you are a part of every pitch. You take most of the brunt behind the plate, and this is something that Walts knows and is accustomed too. With the inexperience of the pitching squad, pitches can be wild and collisions can result from those pitches. She plays with the same intensity and is not worried about things she cannot control. “It is a position on the field, and it is just your mental aspect of it,” Walts said. “You just have to go one at a time and always be ready.” Despite not having the season expected, there is great hope for the team. If Walts can become a leader on this team, the Miners have a chance to take it to another level next year.

ALEX MORALES

With the trials and tribulations of this season, there haven’t been many bright spots for the UTEP softball team. With inexperience at key positions, Kayleigh Walts has provided depth and stability to a young team which is in desperate need of it. Walts dawns the number “2” on her jersey when she takes the field for the Miners. Maybe she wears that number because it is her favorite or maybe because it’s her way of telling the world that she can ably play two positions. Walts is only a sophomore, but in her short time at UTEP, she has seen a lot of playing time at both catcher and first base. As a freshman, she played in 50 games. In those first 50 games, Walts etched numerous entries into the UTEP record books. Walts broke the single season assist record with 372, which is fifth overall in UTEP history. She also holds the record for the most put outs in a game with 18 against Belmont last year. Walts followed up that game by registering 16 put outs against Marist College, which is the second most put outs in a game. Walts also had 411 catches last year, which was also a season record. Her .988 fielding percentage is the second best fielding percentage in UTEP softball history. Although Walts played defensively sound, her inexperience at the plate hampered her offensively during her freshman year. Walts only hit .212 last year, but she did manage to have 31 hits; seven of which were doubles. She also scored 18 runs, drove in 24 runs, had 10 walks and was 3-5 in stealing attempts. This season, Walts’ production from the plate has increased tremendously as she is one of the top hitters on the team. She has a batting average of .273, which is already 61 points higher than last year. Walts has 34 hits; six doubles, one triple, and two home runs. She has driven in 22

Sophomore Kayleigh Walts has done everything in her ability to help her team out, includ-ing playing two positions (first base and catcher) while get-ting the job done at the plate this season. Jeff Taylor

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M 8

SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETIES COACH AL SIMMONSGUS CONTRERAS

The 2011 spring drills have brought many new faces to this UTEP squad, but no one more important than new safeties coach Al Simmons. Coach Simmons brings a wealth of experience as well as the ability to turn around a secondary to produce results. In his short time here, Simmons has adapted well to El Paso and the UTEP team. “It’s a great fit. The staff is great, and I’ve known a few of these guys for a long time, in particular Coach Patterson,” Simmons said. “I came and visited a year ago, and then with the players, that’s been great too because these guys are eager; they want to learn and want to be the best they can be. They are coachable, and that’s all you can ask for.” Simmons, who has 25 years of experience coaching safeties, comes from Cal Berkeley, where his secondary led the PAC-10 in passing yards allowed and finished third in interceptions in the nation. This is exactly what UTEP, which ranked fifth in the conference in pass defense last season, needs. The Miners allowed 6.7 yards per play and 228 passing yards per game. UTEP will certainly look towards Simmons’ coaching ability to help the Miners on defense. Thus far this spring, Simmons’ safeties core has been the last group to leave the field, and the hard work has certainly shown when the team scrimmages. Simmons has been emphasizing the team’s need to improve with every practice while working on fundamentals. “It’s about us getting better. If the defense has successful plays, we still need to improve on something,” said Simmons. The hard work during practice has tested the safeties’ toughness and work ethic, but it seems as if Simmons and his players are on the same page. The defense has looked united this spring, and even the linebackers are buying into the speed of Simmons’ secondary. “With what Al Simmons has brought

here, the linebackers are playing fast; they love it,” linebackers coach Robert Rodriguez said. “I just hope my guys love Al Simmons.” Spring also has brought about competition within the safeties’ core since no starters have been named. Each played is being given the opportunity to show their skills. Most consider juniors DeShawn Grayson and Travaun Nixon to be the top two starters on the list, but Coach Simmons wants to see everybody’s skills before handing out the spots. “There are no starters yet, even though you’re seeing them go with the ones, but it won’t be that way all spring,” Simmons said. “I’m going to give other guys opportunities to work with the ones and figure out who the best guys are.” Although he is giving everybody an equal shot this spring, Simmons knows that he will be relying on Grayson’s and Nixon’s experience. “They are smart guys, instinctive guys, and good effort guys,” Simmons said. “Grayson is doing an outstanding job in terms of leadership.” Grayson will be returning off an improved sophomore season, in which he started 11 out of 13 games for the Miners and earned 38 tackles while assisting in another 31. Nixon, who played cornerback for the last two seasons, is new to the

safeties’ squad. Nixon is also coming off an impressive sophomore season, which saw him intercept the ball four times and record 44 tackles. Although he will be in a new position, UTEP will be looking towards Nixon to use his past experience in the upcoming season. There is no doubt that Nixon will have to adjust his game to the safety position, but his coach knows that he is intelligent and athletic enough to adjust quickly. “He’s got some things he needs to keep working on, but I’ll tell you what, he’s the kind of guy you can tell him some things without repping it, and he’ll pick it up,” said Simmons about Nixon’s adjustment. “He played a physical game at corner; he’ll play physical, that part doesn’t concern me.” There is no doubt that Coach Simmons has a great pedigree behind him, and the players seemed to be buying into his philosophy. The question will be whether they can turn great practices into game time productiveness. From what has been seen at practice, there is no reason why this group of safeties cannot be a top three secondary in the conference. The players will need to keep working hard and listen to Coach Simmons, but under Simmons, the future definitely looks bright for this group of safeties.

Safeties coach Al Simmons, who has had to meld with the staff and team quickly this spring, can been seen here watching the players run their drills. Jeff Taylor

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M 9

SOFTBALL: AROUND THE LEAGUE

MINER ILLUSTRATED STAFF REPORTS

Tulsa Completes Sweep of Southern MissTULSA, Okla. - Cassidy Bowen drove in three runs, Jill Barrett drove in two runs and Tulsa used a four-run fifth inning to blow past Southern Miss, 8-5, Sunday afternoon at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex. The Golden Hurricane (32-9, 13-2 C-USA) held a 4-1 lead until Southern Miss (11-27, 0-12 C-USA) hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth to move ahead, 5-4, but TU answered right away with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead back, 8-5. Southern Miss took a 5-4 lead on a grand slam by right fielder Britney Dinelt in the fifth inning. Two singles, a walk and a fielder’s choice set up the two-out homer. Tulsa answered right back with four runs in the bottom of the inning on a double and four singles. Senior pitcher Jordan Kinard entered for the top of the sixth and shut down the Golden Eagles in order, coaxing three groundouts to second base, a pop up, a fly ball and one strikeout. Sophomore Lacey Middlebrooks (9-4) struck out seven batters in 5.0 innings and earned the win while Kinard tossed 2.0 perfect innings to pick up her first save of the season. Beth Dietrich (6-13) allowed seven runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings for Southern Miss in the loss.

ECU Snaps Losing Streak with Victory over UCFGREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina snapped its three-game losing streak Sunday with a 1-0 victory over UCF as senior Toni Paisley tied the Conference USA career wins record with her nation-leading 13th solo shutout of the year. Paisley and DePaul’s Lindsay Chouinard (2000-03) share the league’s all-time victory mark with 108 in their careers. A throwing error allowed junior Suzanne Riggs to score the only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth as East Carolina improved to 29-13 and 9-6 in C-USA. UCF (15-23, 5-7 C-USA) had a chance to score in the top of the first when Allie Jest led off the game with a single up the middle. After a lineout to left, Natalie Land singled through the right side, moving Jest to second. A double play got the Pirates out of trouble as Abby McClain lined out to freshman Kristi Oshiro at second base and Jest was doubled off. East Carolina got its first hit of the game in the bottom of the second on a two-out single to center field by senior Sissy Jimenez, but a groundout left her stranded. The teams went quietly until the bottom of the fifth, when the Pirates scored the only run of the contest. In the top of the sixth, the Knights threatened again but could not convert. Paisley sealed the victory with a pair of strikeouts and a lineout in the seventh.

Memphis Takes Series from MarshallHUNTINGTON, W. Va. – The University of Memphis softball team took game two from the Thundering Herd of Marshall, 7-4, on Sunday to guarantee the series victory for the second-straight year. For the Tigers, Lauren Carley picked up the win, evening her record at 4-4 and moving the Tigers to 25-10 (8-6 in C-USA) and matching both their win totals and their conference victories from 2010. The Thundering Herd fell to 15-21 (1-9 C-USA). Offensively, Memphis collected double-digit hits for the fourth game in a row, pounding out 11 base knocks. The Tigers got a contribution from everybody on offense, with all seven runs coming from a different Tiger base runner. After falling behind 3-0, the Tigers took the lead for good in the fourth. The Tigers stretched the lead in the sixth following a mammoth three-run homer from senior Kailey Kassner.Marshall’s Alysia Hively homered in the home half of the sixth, but it was a little too late for the Herd to make a comeback on the Tigers. The two teams did not get the final game of its three-game Conference USA series completed due to the drop-dead rule.At 4:15 on Sunday, the game ended with two outs in the top of the fifth. In order for a game to be official, five innings must be completed or four and a half with the home team ahead. This game will not be made up. For Memphis, this means they have technically swept Marshall for the first time in the program’s history.

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M

NEW MINER RECEIVERS WORKING ON BASICS THIS SPRING

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that the upper classmen are emphasizing hard work. “We now need to work on consistency and work ethic,” said Holliday. “We are working on fundamentals with all the receivers.” This idea of being consistent and working on the fundamentals seems to be something all the coaches are emphasizing this season. Cornerbacks coach Allen Johnson said, “We’re just working on fundamentals and technique; that’s what these spring practices are all about.” With the quarterback spot up for grabs, it will be doubly necessary for the wide receivers to play at their best. Fumbles and drops passes are rookie mistakes UTEP cannot afford to make this year. Last season, the Miners averaged 19 fumbles per game; a rather high number for a collegiate team. The receivers seem to know this and have all been individually aiming to improve their game. “I’m running with the ones and twos, but I need to work on opening up my stride,” Malcolm Trail said. “Right now, my hands are good though.” Trail seems to be one of the forerunners in the competition for a starting spot. But Trail, along with the other freshmen, will have to edge out the experienced players, like junior Lavorick Williams, who played in 12 games last season. Williams did not garner many yards last season, but he is poised to gain as many as he can this season. “Lavorick Williams looks the best so far,” Holliday said.Also, at the top is Carr, who last season started in three games and played in 12. He only attained 60 receiving yards, but Carr averaged nearly nine yards per pass caught. “I stepped back a bit today (Thursday), and I can’t be doing that,” said Carr. “I have to go hard every practice.” Carr understands that with so many young receivers on the team, it is necessary for him and the other upper classmen to set the bar high. Carr, along with Williams and senior Julio Lopez, have been leading by example; giving their all during every spring practice. Kemp, who has been on the sidelines recovering from his injury, has provided encouraging words to the young receivers during the spring practices. While junior Marlon McClure, who is unfortunately out this spring due to academic suspension, will have to wait until the regular season to help lead this unit. McClure’s loss, along with Kemp’s, has definitely been felt this spring. One hopes that these setbacks are the only ones this unit suffers this year as this already young group of players needs all the time they have to prepare for the regular season. And with only two weeks of spring football left, now is the time for the youth on the receiving unit to master the basics. Because come this fall, these freshmen are going to have to step up and help lead the Miners to victory.

REBECCA FRAZIER BURCH

Wide receivers coach Guy Holliday has his work cut out for him this season. With 11 freshmen receivers, this year will be all about getting back to the basics. At spring practice this past Thursday, Coach Holliday worked his receivers hard in preparation for a scrimmage on Saturday as well as the commencement of the regular season. “I thought it (Thursday’s practice) was sluggish. I wasn’t too pleased about the receivers’ practice,” Holliday said. “We have to be more consistent. We’re working on basic fundamentals and trying to find out who is going to play for us next year.” The lack of consistency is a result of the youth in the receiving unit. Led by a handful of upper classmen, the wide receivers will have to step up quickly if they are to be successful this season. One of these young players is freshmen Malcolm Trail, who hails from Dallas, Texas. According to Holliday, Trail shows promising signs of future success. “Trail has improved individually and has shown talent to catch the ball,” Holliday said. Ability to catch the ball and run routes is essential for UTEP to win games. Last season, UTEP averaged 223 passing yards per game, which almost matched their opponents’ average of 228 passing yards per game. The Miners averaged 86 more passing yards than rushing yards per game. A statistic that undoubtedly helped the team score 26 points per game. If the Miners expect to do the same this season, it will be up to the receivers to play at their best. With only five upper classmen wide receivers, there will be much competition amongst the freshmen for starting positions. One freshman who has already caught the coach’s eye is Anthony McGhee. “McGhee has improved a lot and stands out right now,” said Holliday. The Dallas native has been working hard, even staying after practice to run routes, lear the basics and find his groove with the team. “Practices are good. I am just trying to learn the routes,” McGhee said. “I need to work on the fundamentals.” Helping McGhee with the basics has been senior receiver Russell Carr; one of only three senior wide receivers on the team. Fellow senior receiver Donovan Kemp is out with an injury for all of spring ball. This is a significant loss for the receiving unit as Kemp tallied 181 yards, most in kick returns that averaged over 24 yards a piece, last season. Kemp’s absence has forced Carr to step up and lead the receiving unit. “I have been helping the new players learn their routes. I am getting them to work hard,” said Carr. Coach Holliday is sure to be pleased that his experienced receivers are helping the freshmen. He will also be glad to hear

Wide receivers coach Guy Holliday has an interesting challenge this upcoming season as he will need to find a way to focus and train his young receiving core while still allowing for their natural talents to shine. Jeff Taylor

Head coach Mike Price fired up the team during the open-ing days of spring drills as he began his eighth season at the helm for the Miners. Jeff Taylor

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M

STATE OF THE UNION:A ONE-ON-ONE WITH HEAD COACH MIKE PRICE

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take 1900 yards away from your rushing attack with Donald Buckram, statistically you’re not going to be as good. When you have a quarterback like Trevor Vittatoe that can’t run, he’s a target in the backfield. He was the best quarterback we had even when he was hurt, but certainly not as good as when he was not hurt though. The lack of offensive proficiency is definitely because of the injuries not only to those two players, Buckram and Vittatoe, but also injuries to the offensive line, like when we started three different centers. It was just a mess. If the center doesn’t get things going correctly, then it becomes really difficult to correctly run a play. So I think that was an issue for our offense, but I’ll say it again, I think our defense has been improving. CA: And your thoughts on the season overall? MP: Our offense just wasn’t as good as we all anticipated, but our defense improved. So when you look at that, you can look at it and say we had a pretty good year. We made a bowl game, but we were really disappointed about the way we played in the bowl game and the end of the season. It left a real bad taste in your mouth about the season and the bowl game. When you start talking to people around the country, and recruits and other coaches, they look at you and know they didn’t go to a bowl game. They see you and say, “Gee, that was good. We saw you guys on TV, and it was a tough game you played, but you still had some good wins on the season.” We were definitely competitive in most of our games. When you come to the Sun Bowl, you want to see a competitive game. You’re gonna see the Miners fight and be winning. CA: Let’s talk about the injuries a little more. Looking back at some of the games, there were instances where UTEP should have won the game, but the injuries were undoubtedly a factor. Against UAB, VIttatoe really got hurt. In another game, Germard Reed was hurt on the defensive side, and he was someone that was really getting pressure on the quarterback. MP: At UAB, we also lost our centers. We had a quarterback who was really limited and three centers go down in that game, and you’re trying to run a shotgun with a kid who hasn’t played center before snapping to James Thomas II, and everyone knows he’s going to be running it, and then he gets hurt. CA: How to did you try and manage all of the chaos and injury? MP: It wasn’t good during that game. It just wasn’t good. (Anthony) McNac came in and played his heart out. We gradually got Eloy (Atkinson) back and Tanner (Cullember) and that helped us. But UAB was just a bad game because of the injuries, because

CHRIS AVILA

For years, the UTEP football team succumbed to poor play, disappointing losses, and years between bowl appearances, let alone an above .500 record. Yet, in the time that Mike Price has been the head coach, fans have seen a meteoric rise with the return of the team to bowl games in 2004, 2005, and this past season in 2010. As successful as last season may look in the record books in comparison to the long football history of the program, there was quite a bit of talk, speculation and wonder if 2010 would be Price’s last at UTEP before the start of the season. That talk continued through the campaign, and after a devastating loss to BYU at the New Mexico Bowl, many wondered what was next for the program that had so much support just a couple years ago. I had a chance to sit down with Price and delve into the mind of the head coach to see what went wrong last year, but more importantly, to find out where the program stood as spring practices were underway and to learn what would be the definition of success as Price begins working towards the 2011 season.

CHRIS AVILA: There has been an emerging patter with your teams here at UTEP over the last couple seasons. When you first came to UTEP, the offense was tremendous. Everyone here in El Paso was in love with the offense, and the defense was still something that needed to be worked on. MIKE PRICE: Yeah. CA: Over the last couple of years, the statistics balanced out a little and now it has begun to shift more towards a situation where the defense is the better and the offensive production has fallen off. When you look at the program over the last couple years, is there something you can attribute to this change, and even more so, how this trend came into play and affected the team last season? MP: Well, I think nothing stays the same; you’re either better or worse in everything you do in life so we try to be consistent and play consistently. However, there are going to be years when you have down years, and years when everything clicks. I remember the first time we went to the Rose Bowl at Washington State, it was the first time in 67 years that Washington State had been there. The players that started that Rose Bowl game against No. 1 Michigan, there were 21 out of 22 kids, started the first game that season and started the bowl game. CA: That’s good consistency. MP: Yes, but more importantly, it’s no injuries. So, when you

continued on page 14

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M 1 4

of our expectations that we were going to win. It was close until the end, and the Marshall game was close until the end. Those two games were just tough. CA: Fast forward to the end of the season and you go to a bowl game. When you look back on the game, everyone knew Trevor was playing with a bum ankle, and he was going to be limited and thus the offense struggled. The defense was there in spurts, but in the end, was it all just a matter of BYU manhandling the team? MP: Part of it was that BYU executed better than we did at times. Trevor threw that ball down to Kris (Adams) and made great passes. I think we were just too hyped before the game, and our players tried too hard. They certainly weren’t in the groove. They were more excited to play and didn’t come out like a veteran team should. They came out like a young team, too excited to play. CA: That’s kind of different from the practices leading up to the bowl. Before and after practice, the team was loose and enjoying the moment, but it seemed as if during the drills and going through the schematics of what needed to be run, they were dead on focused. Was this just a matter of the excitement of the game? MP: I think it was. Guys did things they hadn’t done in four years. Little things like making comments to me before the game that they had never made before. It was an emotional time. Players said things and did things that they had never done before. Not bad things, but things like “Thanks for everything coach” with tears in their eyes. And it was like, “What? You’re usually goofing around!” That kind of thing was out of character. It meant more to them. CA: Was it possibly the finality of the season? MP: Yeah, I think so. The way it went the first quarter was horrible, but yet, I have to keep reminding myself that we made it through the season; we had a successful season, by no means as successful as we would have liked, but we did pretty good considering, and now it’s time to build on it. CA: Let’s talk about the spring. There

are some critical battles at a number of different positions and obviously quarterback is the number one battle. As you began the spring and work though the next couple weeks, what makes this spring different than in years past? MP: Well, it’s a lot different than last year because we knew what our players could do last spring. This year, we are just finding out. That’s the number one thing we want to take away from the spring: who can play and how can they play. Evaluation is number one. We are videotaping everything, analyzing everything. Finding out if this kid can play. Saying “I don’t know if he can play here, maybe he can play there” and knowing he can play and he needs to be on the field. Right now all this does is help the younger guys on the team and the new guys, so maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. We don’t need to see Royzell Smith take on a block because we know he can do it or Jaime Irving make a tackle; we’ve seen them do it. I know what they do best, so our thinking is let’s see what Josh Fely, A.J. Ropati, Michael Pickett, DeAndre Little, and the other guys who are getting tons of work can do. It’s the same for the offensive and defensive lines. Both units have guys who have been backups, seen some time, and are now thrust into the limelight. It’s all a thing of evaluation. CA: Running back are probably your most solid group then. MP: Oh yeah. Our running backs are strong; we have really good depth, really good players. (Joe) Banyard is having a great spring thus far. Leilyon Myers is looking thin, leaner and more in shape, and probably will have the best spring he’s ever had. Vernon Frazier is looking great too. Then you look at the young guys, Josh Bell and Laquintus Dowell, and there is talent. Nathan Jeffery, who is going to be as good as we thought he was going to be. CA: Let’s talk about the quarterback position and everyone wants to know what’s happening at that position. What you are looking at and evaluating so you can determine who will be in the starting role? MP: I think it’s going to be the guy who

can run the offensive effectively, spread the ball around, and is going to be a good decision maker while taking care of the football. We don’t want someone who is going to throw into traffic all the time. We want someone who can step up and be a leader, which I think we have with most of the guys. More importantly, we want a guy who can do this in game situations, and that’s why we have started running more scrimmaging in the stadium to make them more game-like. I don’t know if we will have a guy picked by the end of spring, but we might have a couple. Then, you have May, June, and July to prepare for the season. That’s where the quarterback’s time with the receivers goes, and the two get a lot better. Will the quarterback get that one-on-one time with the receivers, and will he get them to come out on their own time? That’s where you look to the quarterback to be a leader. CA: Is it comforting to know that you have four guys who are all realistically competing for the position? Knowing you’ll have some built in depth where as last year, it was only Trevor and that was it? MP: Yeah, we don’t have that one guy who is a lot better than the other. We don’t have the big 6’5” guy who is going to come in and throw or a speedster who runs really fast. They are all kind of alike, and I think they are all good enough to win with. I really believe that. CA: You’ve had some time to look at Nick Lamison, and you’ve have three guys who have been in the system at least a year. Does the inclusion add more competition for the position? MP: I think it does because I could have not gone out and looked for a junior college quarterback and just went with the three we have. I didn’t feel like they did enough during the season to warrant getting the number one call. They had opportunities; they were out there every day at practice, and they just didn’t do enough to displace the other guys. That’s not my fault; that’s their fault. That’s my evaluation, not theirs, because

M I N E R I L L U S T R A T E D . C O M 1 5

I’m the one who evaluates them. CA: Talk about Nick. You’ve now had some time to watch him and what are your thoughts. MP: I think the thing I liked about Nick came at a junior college bowl game he was in. We were looking at the quarterback on the other side of the field, and he was a major Division I transfer into their program. He was bigger than Nick, but he didn’t play the way Nick did. Nick threw really well, but there was also this command with the team. I got to stand on the sidelines and listen to him talk to his teammates and encourage them. CA: He was displaying some of those leadership qualities you are looking for. MP: Yes, he was. You don’t always see that from film or from the stands. I was able to get down to the sideline and evaluate, so you can see close up how a player interacts with the players. That was impressive. That all helped in my evaluation of Nick, as did the recommendations of the quarterback coaches and the other junior college coaches in California; all gave outstanding recommendations. So did Lane Kiffin of USC because he was the one who recruited him at Tennessee before leaving. CA: Let’s change gears and talk about the future of this program. The schedule is out and everyone is talking about it. MP: It’s going to be different. It’s going to be competitive because we are going to travel to Florida twice, and that’s not easy. We have to cross two time zones, and it’s difficult when you do that to win. It’s great to have Houston here as that will be an exciting game for us and we are fortunate to have Stoney Brook to open the season with. I would hate to open with a Division I superpower with a new quarterback. CA: You move into the second year with Andre Patterson at the defensive helm, and there is a tenacious calm amongst the unit, which they have picked up from him. MP: That’s the way our new coach, Al Simmons, is as well. I think that calm is going to seep into the program. Players have really taken

to Patterson, and we have confidence on defense, which is something we haven’t had around here in a long time. CA: Offensively, you have a solid unit in the running backs with three seniors and many are hoping to see production much like two seasons ago both passing and running. What are your expectations of the unit? MP: I’m not really worried about the statistics. I’m concerned that we score enough points to win. I’m not going into a game thinking we are going to get five, six hundred yards like we probably have in the past. I don’t think we have to. I think our defense is going to be good enough to stop people, and our special teams will be good because they are all back. So, take care of the ball on offense and score when we are capable of scoring. We have emphasized the “Orange Zone,” or the last ten yards before a touchdown. We have to score better in that area, and we have to make sure that we win the game when it’s close. CA: Last year, you had a victory that counted towards bowl eligibility, but this year you won’t have that luxury. If you want to get back to a bowl game, you’ll have to win seven games. When you consider that and you look at the schedule, what will be the definition of success this season? MP: Well, I don’t want to put a lid on any prediction. I’d like to win every game, so that’s my prediction. As soon as you say you’re going to be 7-5, the people start asking, “What are going to be the wins” or they ask “What are going to be the losses,” and then you’re stuck. I think we will improve as the season goes along, and we’ll lean on our defense. We have to be smarter in the way we practice, and we just cannot have the kinds of injuries we saw last year. CA: Would you consider it to be a successful season to get back to a bowl game? MP: I think that’s a standard you can use to judge. I would really like, before I leave here, to get the Conference USA championship game in the Sun Bowl and treat our fans with something

they deserve. Being able to play in a championship game could really rock this town. Bringing the C-USA game here would be what I call a successful season. Bringing the championship and seeing this town rock; there would be a lot of support, and it would be a game to remember. When I first came here, there was a fire about the football team. We’ve kind of lost some of that. We are going to work hard to get that enthusiasm back here with the football program. I’m working real hard, not just on the football part, but speaking, going to lunches and going to schools, sending out football players all around town; you’re going to see UTEP football be a lot more visible and touch more people and be around and ask for our town’s support while getting them fired up. We are going to get started right now, to be honest. CA: One last question: towards the end of last season, there was a lot of speculation as to whether or not you were going to stay here, if the 2010 season would be your last. Some have said you weren’t returning, some have said you are looking to set the program up so that it can be handed off. What are your long-term plans here with UTEP? MP: You know, everything changes. Like I said to start out the interview, nothing stays the same so right now I’m questioning myself the same way you’re asking me questions. I don’t really have all the answers as I’m thinking about it. I know that I love it and couldn’t have much more fun than I’m having right now. We had a lot of fun games to coach in. I want to come back and have more fun and have the fans come and enjoy their team and fill this stadium back up. When that happens again, I’ll probably pass the torch on, but it’s important for me to win here, win for the fans, win for El Paso and win in the Sun Bowl. That’s important.

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THE FINAL WORD:Don’t Sleep on Floyd’s First Full Recruiting ClassJOSH PUGA

Last season, Coach Tim Floyd did what he could with a limited amount of time and limited number of available recruits as he scrambled to fill the 2010 class. After signing Rashanti Harris, Desmond Lee and Michael Haynes, Miner fans were delighted and looking forward to seeing each suit up for the Miners. As we all know, Harris and Lee didn’t make it to campus, and Haynes left the team early in the season. Floyd and the coaching staff made the best of the situation by picking up guard Michael Perez prior to the start of the school year, but it was a rough start nonetheless. Although Miner nation was disappointed with the outcome of the 2010 recruiting class, fans understood Floyd was playing catch-up and had to take some chances, even if it meant losing some players prior to the season. And so we turn the page to the 2011 class. I think it is only fitting that eight players which Floyd didn’t recruit are moving on, thus allowing him to build this year’s team with his own players. Don’t get me wrong; this is not a knock on the contributions made by the departing players, but any coach will tell you that they are looking for a certain player to fit in their system. In my humble opinion, Floyd and the coaching staff have done an admirable job of bringing in some talented high school players while adding some important pieces from the JUCO ranks. Starting with JUCO transfers Malcolm Moore, Dazmond Starke and Mitch Marquis; this trio was selected to bring college-level experience to help offset the youth on the team. 6-foot 7-inch forwards Moore and Starke will bring a much needed boost to the frontcourt and aid sophomore center John Bohannon in the paint. Point guard Marquis adds depth and leadership to the young

backcourt, plus Marquis’ familiarity with Moore (JUCO teammates) will only benefit the team. All three are primed to see playing time early on as they will have a smaller learning curve than their high school counterparts. Speaking of high school commits; the five talented freshmen Floyd signed all have an opportunity to contribute in their first year at UTEP. In the backcourt, the Miners add three new guards to help fill the void left by Randy Culpepper, Julyan Stone and Christian Polk. Jalen Ragland, D’Von Campbell and CJ Cooper have some big shoes to fill, but they all have tremendous athletic ability. Point guards Campbell and Cooper look to bring an offensive spark off the bench and provide added depth to the guard position. Shooting guard Jalen Ragland should provide some length and size to the backcourt as well as a nice offensive game that will help fill the scoring void left by Culpepper and Polk. In the frontcourt, the Miners will turn to forwards Darius Nelson and Cedric Lang to combat the losses of Jeremy Williams, Wayne Portalatin and Claude Britten. Nelson is arguably the best recruit of the bunch and provides the Miners with a great low post scorer and rebounder. He may be a little undersized at 6-foot 5-inches, but he is one of the more

talented high school recruits UTEP has had in some time. As for 6-foot 10-inch Lang, he helps bring much needed size to the frontcourt and will be a force in the paint once the staff starts to coach him up. It is not an ideal situation for a team to have to bring in eight new players, especially since most of them will not have the luxury of time to learn the system. Next season will most certainly be a transitional year for UTEP, but Floyd and his staff are banking on one other factor that most fans might not have considered. All eight of the 2011 commits that will be on campus this fall know how to win. Moore, Marquis and Starke helped lead their teams to the NJCAA playoffs and Campbell, Nelson, and Ragland guided their squads into the postseason. As for Cooper and Lang, they both had great postseasons and had the distinct pleasure of ending their high school careers with state championships in California and South Dakota, respectively. Having that winning attitude and experience will only make the new additions want to succeed that as they prepare to put on that UTEP jersey. Though the new players do have their work cut out for them, one thing is certain: they didn’t come to El Paso to lose.

Tim Floyd has been just as fierce on the recruiting trail as he was on the court. Jeff Taylor

signing OFF

Jeff Taylor