Price set to return as football head coach

After finishing 5-7 in the 2011 season, UTEP's sixth-consecutive losing record, Bob Stull, director of UTEP athletics, announced Dec. 1 that Mike Price will return for his ninth season as the football head coach.

"We really felt that for the future, as long as Mike wanted to (win), it was important to move forward with what we're doing with the continuity of the program," Stull said.

According to Stull, his contract will not be a new, long-term contract, but will be reevaluated after the 2012 season. Stull said he met twice with Price and recommended to UTEP President Diana Natalicio for him to stay. Stull said he met with Natalicio once and without Price in attendance.

Price will now become the sixth-winningest active coach with 174 wins. Currently, with 45 at UTEP, he stands one win shy of tying former head coach Mike Brumbelow for second-most wins in school history.

"There's no doubt that I wanted to come back and coach this year with anybody in our program," Price said. "We have a good team coming back. You want to come back when you have a good team and I haven't finished what I came here to do."

According to Price, the Miners will be returning 16 starters from this season's team, eight on each side of the ball. Starting quarterback Nick Lamaison and leading wide receiver Mike Edwards are among the names who will be leading the offense in their senior year.

"I was happy because now we don't have to learn a new offense, we have the comfort of him coming back, we know what his coaching style is and what his goals are," Edwards said. "Our offense is going to be solid, our defense, we have a lot of returners coming back last year…we have a year under our belt so it should be more fun next year."

At age 65, Price is not calling this season his farewell season. Instead, he is asking fans to bear with him given the dwindling attendance over the years.

"I don't know if there's anything I can do right now that's going to turn on the fan that's turned off. It's a gradual loss and it could be a gradual start," Price said. "Just know that I'll be there with plenty of energy, our team will be there with plenty of energy and enthusiasm and a winning, championship attitude."

William Vega may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.