Let’s take a look at what the man has said a little closer.
“Senter said Monday he wants to win, but his priority is making sure student athletes are successful. “Our job is to educate young people and my job is to make sure student athletes reach their highest potential,” Senter said, “You can get caught up in the business of athletics, of raising money, but you need to focus on the business of making sure student athletes maximize their potential.”
He has been given the task of keeping the grades up and the athlete’s noses clean. Kugler has given him the players that fit the description. Perhaps Kugler was told how things were going to be and did the best he could, given his orders.
“Senter said he and his staff wants to engage the El Paso and Juarez communities to make sure the university and its teams have the support they need. “Great organizations start with great people. We want to build a culture of family and it comes down to the idea that everyone is valued. Every person makes a difference,” Senter said.”-KVIA
First thing, I don’t know if he can truly be this unknowing and just spewing some bullshit, but most of the people of El Paso don’t give a rat’s ass about UTEP, and the people of Juarez? Really? Did he just Google Map El Paso? The culture of family is great. But, a family of really good football players would be really great. The family that just lost all of their 11 games I’m sure Kugler let them know that each of them was needed and a valued member etcetera, etcetera.
“If I didn’t believe that we could win and be successful here, I wouldn’t be standing here, and I say that from the bottom of my heart,” Senter said.”
This is just snide, the result of being a Miners fan for many, many years, but I just wonder how many Miners’ AD has said those words before.
“We’re not going to sacrifice quality for speed,” Senter said, “We are going to hire someone with great integrity and the demonstrated ability to move the football and score points.”
It is easy to say the first part if you already have a pick in mind as it takes the time factor out of it. So, the person will be high quality and great integrity. I read that as squeaky clean. I think it probably is the “tell”. When you are thinking about the next head coach, of those that you have heard about, which does this describe most?
“I do not have a coach in mind already,” said Senter, who added that there is no timeline beyond “as quickly as possible.” “We’re already in search mode. We’ve been working on that since the job was offered. …
So, once again the timeline is of no consequence if everything is already done. Working on it since the job was offered….
The I don’t have a coach in mind already is what you would expect someone who is supposed to be paying for probably a search.
“I want someone with great integrity. I want to find somebody who has demonstrated the ability to move the football and score points. This is a high-scoring league. I want to find somebody who is a great recruiter, who can find people who are the right fit for this place. The type of young person who lives up to the values of UTEP athletics. We need someone who can evaluate talent and sell that vision to young people.
So high integrity, high scoring offense and a great recruiter. Hints. Strong hints. Which candidate has proven to be a great recruiter?
The kids that fit this place are evidently going to be kids that get good grades and are of good character. That is a strong hint.
“The next head football coach needs to build a staff that is talented, good coaches, good teachers, good character and able to hit the road recruiting.”
Highlight “good teachers” and “good character”. I think this is probably another description more than qualifications. Again, asking which candidate fits the description may be easier that a coach with those qualifications.
“We will be competitive with our salary, but it’s not always about money,” he said. “If somebody says you need the most money to hire somebody, I disagree with that.”
So, it is also someone that we can get for around $500k or maybe even less. Which coaches in the mix are making how much?
Some names that have been mentioned are K.C. Keeler, Eric Price, Graham Harrell, Guy Holiday, Phil Longo, Ed Lamb, Ty Detmer, Mike Houston, and Colby Carthel.
I hate to ne the one to say this, but UTEP is a graveyard for coaches. Old coaches on the way out. Young coaches willing to take an enormous chance. Coaches of any worth on Cartel teams rarely step down, take a pay cut, and risk soiling their resume’s. Graham Harrell is headed for bigger and better jobs, as is Ty Detmer. Eric Price would do it, but I think he is part of the past, as is Guy Holiday. By the way, assembling a high quality staff as described by Senter would be hard to do for a coordinator at a school in a hurry, but a head coach would have already assembled said staff(hint, hint). Scratch Longo. No way he steps down from Ole Miss OC job. Ed Lamb doesn’t fit.
So, you have Keeler who has been reported to have been at UTEP. Mike Houston from James Madison is another name that has been mentioned. Colby Carthel is the last one on the list. He would be making too much of a leap. Eliminate him. So, Keeler and Houston are the two likely candidates. Since Senter hired Houston, we know that he fits the bill on all of the high quality and staff thing. Let’s get real. Let’s talk money. Houston’s base salary is $375k + incentives and he signed a contract extension last January. K. C. Keeler makes a base salary of $250k. Houston is making almost as much as he would here and he is in an area of the country where he can build his resume, risk free. Keeler would make enough more to take the chance, he knows the state of Texas and what for others is a graveyard is for him a great next step and a damned good jump. If he can get it done he will be able to write his ticket for retirement somewhere. If he doesn’t, Sam Houston would probably be happy to have him come back. For Keeler it is all good. For Houston the risk is great for little reward.
Well, there is my detailed analysis. Worth every penny, too, I’d say!
