College football notebook: Former player returns to coach UTEP
BY Associated Press
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12/11/12 at 3:21 AM
UTEP hired Sean Kugler as its new coach Monday, bringing in a former Miners player and coach to replace the retired Mike Price.
Kugler spent almost three years as the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line coach, following stints with the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. He also worked at Boise State. He played for current UTEP athletic director Bob Stull, graduating in 1988, and later coached at the school for eight seasons.
"I spent 13 years as a player and coach at UTEP and loved every minute of it," Kugler said in a statement. "I'm excited about starting a new chapter in my coaching career at a place that has so many fond memories."
Kugler was on UTEP's staff from 1993 to 2000.
UTEP says a salary is still being negotiated. The 46-year-old Kugler is a native of Freeport, N.Y., and has three children. His oldest son, Robert, is a lineman at Purdue.
Kugler follows Price, best known in coaching for reaching the Rose Bowl twice at Washington State but losing the job at Alabama after a drinking binge. Price retired Nov. 19 after nine years at UTEP, which he led to 8-4 records and bowl games in his first two years before failing to achieve a winning record since.
Colorado lands San Jose State's MacIntyre: Mike MacIntyre turned around the San Jose State football program in short order and will be asked to do the same at the University of Colorado.
On Monday, MacIntyre signed a five-year deal to coach the Buffaloes.
His hiring ends a two-week search by Colorado that included a rejection by its first choice, Butch Jones.
MacIntyre inherits a program that's had seven straight losing seasons, including a 1-11 record this year under Jon Embree that was the worst in the 123-year history of the program.
He has turned around a program before.
The Spartans (10-2) are ranked No. 25 in the BCS and are heading to the Dec. 27 Military Bowl in Washington, D.C., to face Bowling Green (8-4), two years after a 1-12 showing in McIntyre's first season. This is the first 10-win season in a quarter century for the Spartans, who are ranked 24th in both the AP and coaches' polls.
Gamecocks' Lattimore reportedly declaring for NFL: Injured South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore will enter the NFL draft, said people familiar with the decision.
One person said Monday that Lattimore is expected to announce his decision later this week.
The running back suffered a horrific injury to his right knee against Tennessee on Oct. 27. Doctors say Lattimore had successful surgery to repair several ligaments on Nov. 2. It is unclear when he will be able to return to the field.
Lattimore injured his left knee in 2011 as a sophomore. He rushed for 662 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, both team highs. He is South Carolina's career leader in both overall touchdowns with 41 and rushing scores with 38.
Ohio State's Hankins giving up senior season: The guy they call "Big Hank" is taking a big, early jump to the next level.
All-Big Ten defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins announced on Monday he will give up his senior season at Ohio State to make himself available for the 2013 NFL draft.
Hankins, who said he plans to return to finish his degree, was fourth on the team in tackles in 2011 with 67, including 11 for minus yardage. This past season he was fifth in tackles with 55, including four tackles for a loss.
Thomsen tapped as interim for Texas Tech: Texas Tech says offensive line coach Chris Thomsen will serve as interim coach of the Red Raiders for their bowl game this month against Minnesota.
Thomsen got the nod Monday, two days after Tommy Tuberville left to take the head coaching position at Cincinnati. Also on Monday, Neal Brown, the team's offensive coordinator the past three years, resigned to take the same job at Kentucky.
