APRumored to be on the coaching hot seat, Mike Price instead decided to take the path of least resistance as the 2012 coaching carousel continues spinning right along.
At a press conference Monday afternoon, Price announced that he is retiring as UTEP’s head coach following the conclusion of the 2012 season. The 3-8 Miners close out the year this weekend against Rice.
“I’m very thankful to President Natalicio for giving us this opportunity,” the 66-year-old Price said. “It has been the chance of a lifetime. I am very appreciative of the loyal support by Director of Athletics Bob Stull. I can’t thank him enough for his patience and support. This is my last year of coaching. It is great go out with this group of fine student-athletes and coaches. Although I didn’t go to school here, I’m a Miner. Joyce and I are proud to be El Pasoans.”
In his nine seasons at UTEP, Price has won 48 games, second-most in school history.
While Price went to two Rose Bowls during his 14-year stint at Washington State, he’s most known for his very brief tenure at Alabama. After leaving Wazzu for ‘Bama in December of 2002, he was fired in May following an infamous strip club imbroglio and never coached a single down for the Tide.
Enjoy retirement Mike. I enjoyed watching you compete with UW in all those Apple Cups growing up as a kid. Those were some fun, memorable games to watch.
Good luck Coach
Roll Tide!
Regardless of the past, enjoy your retirement coach.
Retired or Fired?
I guess this means I’m getting old now. Coach was my Head and QB coach back in the mid 80′s at Weber St.
I feel honored to have known this man, as he taught me how to grow up, play the position and afterwards how to coach. He had a great football mind, wish I would have followed him to Wazu.
He coached some great QB’s in his time, working with John Elway, Jack Thompson and my favorite, Cri’in Leaf.
Although his stint at Bama was mostly an embarrassment, I overall, he had a pretty successful career at the college ranks.
Good luck to you Coach P in the future.
I am glad he is retiring rather than getting fired.