Brian Natkin... UTEP player, assistant coach and OC at Midwestern State

[MinerInWisconsin]

I had forgotten that prior to Natkin's current asst coaching job at UTEP, he had been the OC for Midwestern State in Wichita Falls in 2011. Div 2 school but his offense that year averaged 531 ypg, 208 passing and 323 rushing. Scored a lot of points, went 10-0 regular season before losing in the div 2 playoffs in OT. Any possibility he gets promoted to OC?

 

[Minerforlife]

We know that he and Cornell Jackson are still on the staff. I would assume Spencer Leftwich is as well, but iI havent seen any confirmation. That would mean three offensive coaches are still on staff. That definitely could point to an in house promotion.

 

[UTEPMiners8106]

Personally I would like Kugler to get an OC outside. We need a change offensively and with all due respect I would like someone to come in with fresh ideas.

 

[utep2step]

Personally I would like Kugler to get an OC outside. We need a change offensively and with all due respect I would like someone to come in with fresh ideas.

 

[Minerforlife]

Personally I would like Kugler to get an OC outside. We need a change offensively and with all due respect I would like someone to come in with fresh ideas.

I think it will be a coordinator from outside the program. There was a report last week that Kugler had offered an unidentified coach the oc posistion. I think it will be a posistion coach from a power five school.

 

[nattybry]

That would make since. Kugler said they'd announce after Jan 9th, so maybe it's a coordinator from one of the teams in the playoffs, that'd be sweet!

 

[unihorn]

Recruiting is NOW. To wait to announce these coordinator hires much longer is a mistake in my view.

 

[Minerforlife]

Recruiting is NOW. To wait to announce these coordinator hires much longer is a mistake in my view.

The dead period for recruiting begins on monday and doesnt end until January fourth. That gives Kugler some time to hire coordinators.

 

[unihorn]

The dead period for recruiting begins on monday and doesnt end until January fourth. That gives Kugler some time to hire coordinators.

Right -- I meant this week, but it's almost over.

 

[Rot]

Is our recruiting coordinator still with the team? This is a crucial time in the recruiting period.

 

[Minerforlife]

Is our recruiting coordinator still with the team?

Yes. Natkin is the recruiting coordinator.

 

[utep2step]

Did you see those shoes on Natkin? Guy has good taste and I would be impressed if I were that recruits' pop.

 

[Firstdowndash]

We need a new special teams coach IMO. Nothing against Natkin but perhaps Kugler should get a guy with experience coaching Special Teams. That unit was atrocious this past year. Yes, Luna did well, but aside from him it was a mess.

 

[Minerforlife]

We need a new special teams coach IMO. Nothing against Natkin but perhaps Kugler should get a guy with experience coaching Special Teams. That unit was atrocious this past year. Yes, Luna did well, but aside from him it was a mess.

Mattox had a great year. He was 17/21 on field goals and missed one extra point all year. Unfortunately people remember the ones you miss. That La tech kick was unfortunate but hes still a great kicker and im sure he will come back stronger next year.

Luna is an adequate punter. Hes never going to be able to flip field posistion but he gets off decent punts. I respect the kid he was a walk on who toiled on the scout team for years and then through hard work got on the field, thats a huge accomplishment.

The problem on special teams have been the schemes. We dont block returns well and we have protection lapses on punts. We had issues with the holders all year. Now that Frank Beamer is retired, Kugler should bring him down to teach a special teams seminar.

 

[utep2step]

Don't forget not paying attention how many are on the field and fumbled snaps. There were quite a few bone headed mistakes on special teams that had nothing to do with injuries.