New UTEP coach departs for NFL before he’s even introduced

A funny thing happened on the way to Ken Flajole’s introduction as UTEP’s new defensive coordinator today. The Philadelphia Eagles called. Flajole was on the UTEP campus when he accepted Philadelphia’s offer to return to the NFL, where he had 16 years of previous experience, including a stint as the St. Louis Rams’ defensive coordinator.

UTEP football head coach Sean Kugler announced staffing changes Thursday.

Heading the UTEP offense will be coordinator Brent Pease. Pease joins the Miners with 25 years of coaching experience. He worked with Chris Petersen for eight seasons at Boise State and Washington. He was most recently was the wide receivers coach at Washington.

Theron Aych will serve as the wide receivers coach for the Miners. Aych spent the last five seasons at Angelo State as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

The Miners linebackers will also be under new leadership with the addition of Don Yanowsky, who comes to UTEP with more than three decades of coaching experience.

Yanowsky assumed duties as the special teams coordinator for two seasons with the Ottawa Redblack of the Canadian Football League (2014-15).

Kugler, a former NFL assistant, said he understood Flajole’s decision and wished him well. A source in the UTEP athletic department said Flajole is very close to qualifying for an NFL pension. Kugler said he has other candidates already in mind. He will be doing interviews this weekend and hopes to make an announcement very soon.

National Signing Day will be Wednesday, Feb. 3.