This according to sports writer Pete Thamel. He says sources say there is mutual interest and a decision is expected soon.

I?ll catch hell for this but here goes.

We have a good coach who recruits well but is struggling to get this team to jell. We have 5 new starters on the o-line and they have had moments of success but more moments of errors that kill drives. Our defense is over worked by the time it?s late in a game but it?s not a bad defense at all. We have 64 new players on the roster so not surprising that jelling is taking a while. The hc antics are just his natural exuberance and while we may not like it, because we?re old as hell, it?s just him. When the wins start coming, and I believe they will, we won?t care about the antics so much.

Skylar will be a good qb down the road but he needs seasoning and Cade should have been the starter this season and I?m glad to hear he will start vs SHSU. Still, the o-line needs to have a full game like the 2nd half of the CSU game.

Most of us picked the Miners to be 1-3 at this point and the loss to SUU is unforgivable. I?ll always be pissed about that loss and we can chalk that up to the coaching staff. Doesn?t mean they can?t redeem themselves. Will they? We will find out as the season plays out.

The Miners should have and could have beat that average FCS team. They also could have and probably should have beat CSU. Two plays made the difference. Blocked UTEP punt led to an easy 7 for the Rams, an o-line error. A UTEP pick 6 called back for an offside penalty. Over anxious D lineman. Just saying this team is more capable that it?s 0-4 record, by far.

The recruiting this staff is doing will increase the talent level and this program will be turned into a winner. It?s just taking longer than we want for sure.

Still some games for the Miners to win this season, setting the stage for a winning season next year.

UTEP 28 CSU 24

Four schools are announcing today that they are joining the PAC. Boise St, SDSU, Fresno St, Colorado St are all leaving to join Oregon St and Washington St in the PAC and at least 2 more schools will need to be added for the minimum of 8 required for an FBS conference. Speculation is that 2 from the AAC will be added, maybe more. Also, many think UNLV and AFA will eventually leave the MWC as well.

How this will affect UTEP and CUSA will be interesting.

UTEP 35 Liberty 34

Very disappointed in the offense. O-line needs work for sure. This is Matt Rhules 2nd season at Nebraska and he has a lot of returning starters, an elite defense and a very impressive and highly rated qb, even as a freshman.

Too early to diss this team. If they struggle with SUU or, God forbid, lose to them, then fire the coach. J/k.

If the team jells enough to win vs SUU with room to spare, gives a good game vs Liberty, the preseason favorite to win CUSA, then I think the new staff will be on their way to building a good program.

Great to hear you are back at it Austin. You?ve been thru an ordeal so some fun is overdue. Hopefully you and all of us will have a fun Miner football season as well.