UTEP football enters new conference with high expectations

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Scotty Walden, head coach of UTEP, is excited for the upcoming season as they enter a new conference with a step up in competition. The team has made strides in terms of financial backing with donors stepping up in a big way, including a one million dollar donation from Frank Sloan, a UTEP football alum.

The program also received a $500,000 donation from Bobby and Randy Bowling with Tropicana Homes.

Walden has also contributed some of his own salary, donating 10% of his pay for the second straight year.

This year Walden's donation came out to $80,000.

For the Miners to be successful, recruiting is paramount, and with the financial influx, they can now be more competitive in the transfer market.

Walden wants to foster change and believes that the 2026 team has the potential to be one of the best in the Mountain West.