I was hoping they'd maintain their momentum from the bowl season in 2014? Miner fans, is Kugler on the hot seat?

He's definitely in the hot seat but he's safe if UTEP wins out. I don't think he'll be fired this year but next year will probably make or break him. UTEP will have to replace Aaron Jones next year though and that certainly won't be easy.

Thanks for the update. Really enjoy keeping with all of the G5s since we moved up into FBS.

Aaron Jones is such a powerful running back - sucks that UTEP couldn't build a team around him

They're still in El Paso last time I looked...

Jones is a junior. I'm pretty sure he got a medical redshirt for last year, so he'll be back unless he wants to jump to the NFL. What happened? Probably the biggest thing is the flux at the QB position. Hopefully we've settled on Metz and he continues to improve.

(11-06-2016 11:03 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  Jones is a junior. I'm pretty sure he got a medical redshirt for last year, so he'll be back unless he wants to jump to the NFL. What happened? Probably the biggest thing is the flux at the QB position. Hopefully we've settled on Metz and he continues to improve.

Yes, both of the Jones brothers are back next year unless, as STexMiner says, Aaron decides to test the nfl waters. There were a lot of returning starters this year and should be again next year but if Kugler returns, will that be enough to advance the program?

Kugler himself has indicated that he is aware of the hot seat but is focusing on finishing strong. Says he knows "the deal" and his team needs to win.

Seems like the schedule has been pretty brutal for UTEP. I think they are much better than their record shows. Losing at home to FIU made no sense though.

They're trying... Inclined to agree with "GilesFan", their schedule's been a booger. Maybe they can go on a late regular season run. Who's left on their schedule?

(11-06-2016 11:03 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  Jones is a junior. I'm pretty sure he got a medical redshirt for last year, so he'll be back unless he wants to jump to the NFL. What happened? Probably the biggest thing is the flux at the QB position. Hopefully we've settled on Metz and he continues to improve.

Only a Junior? Crap.

I seems like Aaron Jones has had a 7-yr career at UTEP like Brandon Doughty did at WKU.

(11-07-2016 03:49 PM)Matrix Wrote:  They're trying... Inclined to agree with "GilesFan", their schedule's been a booger. Maybe they can go on a late regular season run. Who's left on their schedule?

@FAU, @Rice, vs. UNT. Winnable games, but not going to expect it.

I think they win at least 2 of those remaining games.

Jerry Palm has them at 5-7 and going bowling...in Boca vs Memphis

(11-08-2016 12:44 PM)HeadsetGuy Wrote:  Jerry Palm has them at 5-7 and going bowling...in Boca vs Memphis

Well that settles it. Jerry Palm must be certifiable.

(11-08-2016 01:09 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 12:44 PM)HeadsetGuy Wrote:  Jerry Palm has them at 5-7 and going bowling...in Boca vs Memphis

Well that settles it. Jerry Palm must be certifiable.

Yeah, let's send the Miners to Boca and the Monarchs to Hawaii. That makes sense!

(11-09-2016 10:05 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 01:09 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 12:44 PM)HeadsetGuy Wrote:  Jerry Palm has them at 5-7 and going bowling...in Boca vs Memphis

Well that settles it. Jerry Palm must be certifiable.

Yeah, let's send the Miners to Boca and the Monarchs to Hawaii. That makes sense!

you don't go to message board to talk sense

(11-07-2016 09:56 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Seems like the schedule has been pretty brutal for UTEP. I think they are much better than their record shows. Losing at home to FIU made no sense though.

UTEP had a very easy schedule.
7 home games. Including:
-NM St
-A terrible FCS team
-Army (who blew out UTEP but at 5 wins is pretty decent this year)
-on the road against the worst Rice team in years
-some of the worst CUSA teams; avoided some of the better CUSA teams
At the beginning of the year I projected UTEP at 8-4 and a New Mexico Bowl bid vs their old rival New Mexico. I'm shocked UTEP is 3-7.
Cheers!

(11-08-2016 12:44 PM)HeadsetGuy Wrote:  Jerry Palm has them at 5-7 and going bowling...in Boca vs Memphis

UTEP gets to 5-7 and it would in position for an APR exemption ahead of UCLA. So Palm is not totally off his rocker, not yet anyway.

(11-13-2016 03:33 PM)billybobby777 Wrote:  

(11-07-2016 09:56 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Seems like the schedule has been pretty brutal for UTEP. I think they are much better than their record shows. Losing at home to FIU made no sense though.

UTEP had a very easy schedule.
7 home games. Including:
-NM St
-A terrible FCS team
-Army (who blew out UTEP but at 5 wins is pretty decent this year)
-on the road against the worst Rice team in years
-some of the worst CUSA teams; avoided some of the better CUSA teams
At the beginning of the year I projected UTEP at 8-4 and a New Mexico Bowl bid vs their old rival New Mexico. I'm shocked UTEP is 3-7.
Cheers!

That's a pretty valid summary and I agree with it. Add to that coach Kugler is in his 4th season and this was expected by most to be his best team. This team is not better than his 3rd team which was worse than his 2nd team. Not going in the right direction but if a change is made, and I hope it is, our AD won't do it until the season is over.

Feels like UTEP constantly makes bad hires at head coach. When was the last time UTEP hired someone that people said "Oh, good choice." It's always like "the heck is this hire?"