2013 story: UTEP’s Kugler adds two more coaches to staff

TEP Coach Sean Kugler continued to add to his staff with the addition of Spencer Leftwichas assistant head coach and offensive line coach and Andrew Browning as the defensive line coach on Wednesday.

Spencer Leftwich, Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach

He has coached in eight bowl games as an assistant coach – 2001 & 2002 New Orleans (North Texas), 2003 Humanitarian (Tulsa), 2005 Liberty (Tulsa), 2006 Armed Forces (Tulsa), 2010 Hawaii (Tulsa), 2011 BBVA Compass (Pittsburgh) and 2012 New Mexico (Arizona).

“Coach Leftwich has over 25 years of Division I offensive line experience,” Kugler said. “He has coached at New Mexico State, North Texas, Tulsa, Pittsburgh and Arizona. He has had outstanding lines everywhere he has been. He is a tremendous teacher. He has great character and comes from a great family. You’re not going to find a better offensive line coach.”

Leftwich comes to El Paso after one season as the tight ends coach at Arizona. He helped the Wildcats fashion an 8-5 mark in 2012, including a 49-48 win over Nevada in the Gilden New Mexico Bowl. Arizona’s offense rated among the nation’s finest, securing top-25 rankings in scoring (16th, 38.2 ppg), rushing (17th, 227.8 ypg) and passing (298.4 ypg). The Wildcats averaged 526.2 yards per contest to rate seventh in the country.

Leftwich’s other responsibilities with the Wildcats included coordinating offensive special teams including the PAT, field goal, punt and kickoff return units.

Leftwich began his career as offensive line coach at Stephen F. Austin from 1989-91. In 1989, the Lumberjacks finished 12-2-1 and played in the I-AA national championship game.

He was also the O-Line coach at New Mexico State (1992-93) before enjoying two separate stints at both North Texas and Tulsa from 1994-2010. Leftwich was the offensive line coach for the Mean Green from 1994-2002 and 2007-09. In his first term at UNT, he had at least one lineman earn all-conference recognition in eight of nine years. In 2007, North Texas established school records for total offense and passing offense. In 2009, North Texas had the no. 28 rushing attack in the NCAA with 185.3 yards per game while bettering the school standard for total yards (4,904). The Mean Green also ended the campaign ranked no. 10 in sacks allowed with one per outing.

He was Tulsa’s offensive line coach from 2003-06 and again in 2010. In 2003, Tulsa rated no. 23 nationally in rushing with 196 yards per game. The Golden Hurricane won the Conference USA title in 2005, and finished 10-3 in 2010 with the no. 5 offense in the country (505.6 ypg). Leftwich coached seven different players to eight all-conference accolades in his five seasons with the Hurricane.

In 2011, Leftwich was the offensive line coach at Pittsburgh.

The Gainesville, Texas native was a three-year starter at guard and a two-time All-Conference honoree at Stephen F. Austin. He graduated in 1988 and added a master’s degree from East Texas State in 1989.

Leftwich and his wife, LaTonne, have three sons – Mack Hays, Cutter and Gage.

Andrew Browning, Defensive Line

UTEP Coach Sean Kugler announced the appointment of Andrew Browning as defensive line coach on Wednesday.

One of the heroes of Boise State’s 2007 Fiesta Bowl championship team, Browning served as a member of the Bronco staff for the last three years. He was in charge of defensive quality control in 2010 before working as a defensive graduate assistant from 2011-2012.

“Coach Browning was a player at Boise State when I was there,” Kugler said. “He is a self-made player and coach. He went to Boise State as a walk-on and ended up being probably the best defensive lineman they have ever had. He played with a relentless motor and unbelievable work ethic, and that has carried over into his coaching. Since he graduated he has worked on Chris Petersen’s staff and has done a great job coaching and recruiting. He possesses the kind of character that we’re trying to bring into this program. His youth and energy will be well served.”

Over the last three years the Broncos compiled a 35-4 record with two conference championships and three bowl wins. Boise State held national top-15 rankings in scoring defense in 2010 (second, 12.8 ppg), 2011 (12th, 18.7 ppg) and 2012 (eighth, 15.8 ppg). The Broncos rated in the top-20 in total defense in 2010 (second, 254.7 ypg), 2011 (16th, 320.9 ypg) and 2012 (13th, 315.6 ypg). The Bronco defense produced 12 first team All-Conference selections since 2010 – DL Mike Atkinson (2012), DL Tyrone Crawford (2011), DB Jeron Johnson (2010), DL Demarcus Lawrence (2012), DL Shea McClellin (2010 & 2011), DB George Iloka (2010 & 2011), LB J.C. Percy (2012), DB Jamar Taylor (2012), LB Winston Venable (2010) and DL Ryan Winterswyk (2010).

A four-year letterwinner at Boise State (2003-06), Browning concluded his career with 143 tackles (57 solo), 21.5 tackles for losses and 12.5 sacks. After initially walking on to the team, he was named honorable mention All-WAC as a sophomore, second team as a junior and first team as a senior. He was also recognized as a second team Academic All-American by ESPN The Magazine in 2006. In the historic 43-42 win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Browning was credited with six tackles, a tackle for loss and a half-sack. He established career-highs for tackles (46), tackles for losses (11) and sacks (8.5) his senior year.

He graduated from Boise State with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2007.

Source: UTEP Athletics