Coach Kugler brings new commitment of discipline to UTEP
A new head coach for the UTEP football team means a new approach to discipline.
Former Miner Sean Kugler has laid down the law. And it’s a difference that isn’t hard to notice over at the UTEP football offices.
From the minute you walk into the Larry K. Durham Center on the UTEP campus it’s obvious that something has definitely changed.
“I don’t worry about what has been done here in the past,” Kugler said. “I just know the way that we’re going to do things.”
Kugler isn’t just talking tough. He’s already backing it up.
“Everything that has to do with all aspects of their football lives, they’ve gotta do the right things,” Kugler said,. “If not, they’ll be disciplined accordingly.”
Signs of Kugler’s new commitment to discipline at UTEP are all over the Durham Center, including a “Commitment Time” sign which has a list of names of players who have broken the rules and must report to a study hall from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday nights.
“I”ve got boys at the college age and if they’re not doing the right things, you take something away that hurts,” Kugler said. “That’s part of the process and they know that.”
Redshirt freshman linebacker Gage Sharp is getting with the program.
“Team discipline, individual discipline, make sure we go to class on time, don’t show up late to anything,” Gage said of the program’s new requirements. “I personally haven’t been on (the list) and I don’t want to be either. Some of my friends have told me it’s not fun 9 to 2 on a Friday night. So a lot of people are going to class on time and especially meetings and stuff. They’re starting to call people out who missed class, making them stand up and explain to the team why. So hopefully it will all pay off in the end.”
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman John De La Rosa says other players agree with the approach.
“It’s very harsh,” De La Rosa said. “But if that’s how we’re going to win games, that’s how we’re going to win games.”
Kugler promised it’s his way or the highway.
“There won’t be a day different,” he said. “It’s going to be consistent, it’s going to be thorough every day and it isn’t going to change.”
