After the sudden termination of UTEP’s previous football Head Coach, Dana Dimel, athletics looked for a new suitor to revive the Miners’ tragic record. In late Dec. 2023, UTEP announced Scotty Walden was chosen to be the university’s 27th football head coach.
The much anticipated “Walden Era” was on full display for the El Paso community Aug. 31, against Power Five school University of Nebraska-Lincoln at Memorial Stadium.
Across social media, Walden has graced the El Paso community with his high charisma. However, Walden said the team is reliant on the uplifting energy and the team’s substance, which will both lead the Miners to success.
“I hope anybody looking at not just me but our program, (acknowledge that) our energy is great, I am a firm believer that nothing great is done in life without enthusiasm,” Walden said. “But the thing I want (the audience) to see more, as the season goes on, is the team’s substance. I want them to see that we are a program of substance, these guys are not only preparing for football, but they are also preparing for life.”
This season, the Sun Bowl will see the re-introduction of previous Head Coach Mike Price’s “Mine Shaft”, an entrance to allow the Miners to have an iconic arrival onto the field. In 2022, the Sun Bowl did away with the Mine Shaft because of an injury Dimel received while going down the steps.
The Mine Shaft is not the only new element to the team; dozens of new faces will have their debut with the Miners this season, such as junior cornerback Jaylon Shelton.
“The transition (of schools and coaching) went really good, as soon as I visited El Paso, I felt like this was home,” Shelton said. “The (coaches) have been heavy on me since my high school days, so I feel like I can trust the (UTEP coaches). Coach Walden is a man of his words, everything he has said, he’s done.”
Sophomore safety Xavier Smith joined Walden in the transfer from Austin Peay to UTEP. Previously, Smith spent the 2023 season with Walden at Austin Peay. “I put my faith in Coach Walden, I already knew what kind of coach, what kind of man he was, and I know his values,” Smith said. “I know that whichever team he’s at, the teams going to be a reflection of him, and I definitely want to stay a part of that family.”
Senior wide receiver, Trey Goodman, also embarked on the boat transferring from Austin Peay to UTEP, entrusting Walden with his coaching skills. Goodman recently landed on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watchlist, an achievement that recognizes the top offensive player in Division 1 football. The award is given to a player who exemplifies great character both on the field and in life.
Goodman said he has high hopes about the season due to the team’s “winner” attitude.
“I feel like our biggest strength for us would be our tempo, and our accomplishments,” Goodman said. “(We) continue to be ourselves basically, if we set a goal each week and we beat it, let’s try to do it again next week, why not?”
As the season approaches, excitement builds as the El Paso community watch the Miners set out on a quest for glory. The Miners’ first home game was Sept. 7, where the Miners fell to Southern Utah in a heartbreaking overtime loss.
UTEP does not return to the Sun Bowl until October to face Sam Houston University.
Sofia Sierra is the sports editor and may be reached at [email protected].
