UTEP’s Price focused on fixing this season, wants to return next season

A 17-0 loss to SMU on Saturday gave UTEP its fifth loss in six games this season and caused the questions to grow more pointed at “Mondays with Mike,” the regular weekly news conference with UTEP coach Mike Price.

Although Price tried to make light of the situation, it’s evident with no contract for next year that his future at UTEP is on the line.

After two consecutive winning seasons and bowl games in his first couple of years at UTEP, Price has suffered through six consecutive losing seasons.

And although he took the Miners to a bowl game again in 2010 after finishing 6-6, they were blown out in that bowl game.

With a game at preseason C-USA West Division favorite Tulsa looming on Thursday, Price said he is relishing the opportunity to right the ship quickly.

But if he doesn’t and the Miners suffer a sixth loss this season he will be assured of a seventh consecutive non-winning season.

“Well, I’m not thinking about next season, I’m thinking about right now but sure I do,” Price said when asked if he still had the desire to coach and wants to come back next season. “I’m going to make sure and have a blast and enjoy what I’m doing.”