College football moves fast. One minute you're the young hotshot winning conference titles in the FCS, and the next, you're staring down a schedule that includes Michigan and Oklahoma while trying to convince El Paso that the process is actually working. That’s the reality for the utep football coaching staff right now.
Heading into 2026, the vibe around the Sun Bowl is... well, it’s intense. After a rough 2025 season that saw the Miners finish 2–10, head coach Scotty Walden isn't just coaching for wins; he's coaching for the program's identity as they prepare to leap into the Mountain West Conference. It’s a make-or-break year. If you've been following the Miners, you know the "Blue-Collar" mantra is plastered everywhere, but the staff changes this offseason suggest Walden is looking for more than just grit—he’s looking for tactical upgrades.
The Man at the Top: Scotty Walden’s Vision
Scotty Walden is still the youngest head coach in the FBS, or at least he feels like it. He brought a ton of energy from Austin Peay, but the transition to the Sun City has been a bit of a reality check. Honestly, the 2025 season was a slog. A 1–7 record in CUSA play isn't what anyone had on their bingo card after the hype of his hiring.
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But here’s the thing: Walden isn't blinking. He’s doubled down on his staff, and specifically on the guys who understand his high-tempo, "Orange Crush" philosophy. He’s 36 now, and the "boy wonder" tag is wearing off. People want results. The 2026 utep football coaching staff is built to deliver exactly that, or at least to die trying. Walden still handles a lot of the offensive vision, but he’s delegated more than ever this spring to ensure he can actually, you know, be the CEO of the program.
The Offensive Brain Trust: Mark Cala and the New Blood
The biggest news recently? The offensive side of the ball is getting a facelift. Mark Cala is the guy in the hot seat as the Offensive Coordinator. Cala came in with a big reputation from his time at TCU and Arkansas, and he’s been tasked with fixing an offense that felt stagnant at times last year.
It’s not just Cala, though. The recent addition of Payton Pardee as the tight ends coach is a fascinating move. If that name sounds familiar, it should—he’s football royalty in Texas. Pardee comes over after a stint as the interim head coach for the San Antonio Brahmas in the UFL. Think about that for a second. You have a guy who was calling plays in a professional league now mentoring college tight ends in El Paso.
Then there’s the "Wefense." That’s Walden-speak for special teams. Joe Pappalardo is the mastermind there. He’s one of Walden’s most trusted lieutenants, having followed him from Austin Peay. They don't just call it special teams; they treat it like a third of the game that can actually win them matchups they have no business being in.
Breaking Down the Key Offensive Roles
- Mark Cala (OC): The architect. He’s trying to merge Walden’s "go-fast" mentality with some of the more nuanced passing concepts he picked up in the Big 12.
- Ryan Stanchek (Co-OC/Offensive Line): The grit. Stanchek is the guy responsible for making sure the Miners don't get bullied upfront, which happened way too often in 2025.
- Payton Pardee (Tight Ends): The pro perspective. His job is to turn the TE room into a mismatch nightmare for MWC linebackers.
- Miguel Avina (Quarterbacks): He’s the one in the ear of Malachi Nelson and Skyler Locklear. Developing a consistent signal-caller is priority number one.
Fixing the Leak: Bobby Daly and the Defense
You can’t win games if you’re giving up 30 points a night. That’s been the struggle. Bobby Daly is entering his second year as the Defensive Coordinator, and the pressure is on. The Miners run a 4-2-5 base, which is basically designed to stop the modern spread, but it requires elite play from the "Spurs" and "Bandits"—UTEP’s specific names for their hybrid safety/linebacker roles.
Daly lost his predecessor, J.J. Clark, to the Dallas Cowboys (not a bad career move, honestly), so he’s had to truly make this defense his own. He’s joined by Kelvin Sigler, the Co-Defensive Coordinator who handles the safeties. Sigler is a veteran who knows how to recruit the South, which is vital for UTEP to stay competitive.
The defensive line is coached by Chris Jones, who also wears the "Run Game Coordinator" hat. In a conference like the Mountain West, where teams will absolutely try to run the ball down your throat, Jones is arguably the most important guy on the staff who isn't a coordinator. If the D-line can’t hold the point of attack, it’s going to be a long season.
Why This Staff is Different for 2026
Most people get it wrong when they talk about the utep football coaching staff. They think it’s just a bunch of Austin Peay guys trying to play in the big leagues. While there's some truth to that, the 2026 group is much more of a "Texas All-Stars" vibe.
They’ve recruited heavily in-state, and the coaching hires reflect that. They aren't just looking for "culture fits" anymore; they're looking for guys who have coached in the NFL or high-level FBS. Bringing in someone like Pardee or keeping a guy like Stanchek shows that Walden is trying to bridge the gap between "scrappy underdog" and "legitimate contender."
Honestly, the schedule they’re facing in 2026 is brutal. Opening with Michigan and Oklahoma? That’s a "pay the bills" type of schedule, but it's also a trial by fire for this staff. If they can keep those games competitive, or at least show that the scheme works against elite talent, it’ll go a long way in recruiting.
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The Road Ahead: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a Miner fan or just someone keeping an eye on CUSA/MWC coaching carousels, here is what you need to watch for as the season approaches:
- Watch the "Wefense": If Joe Pappalardo’s units aren't creating turnovers or scoring touchdowns, the margin for error for the rest of the team becomes razor-thin. Special teams is usually the first sign of a well-coached (or poorly coached) Walden team.
- Monitor the TE Usage: With Pardee on board, expect the tight ends to be much more involved in the passing game. If the Miners start using 12-personnel (two tight ends) effectively, it means they’re evolving past the simple "four wide and fly" offense.
- The Quarterback Whisperers: Keep an eye on the chemistry between Mark Cala and whoever starts at QB. Last year, the rotation felt a bit clunky. A cohesive staff should mean a more decisive quarterback.
- Recruiting the Portal: The staff has been aggressive in the portal, bringing in guys like Malachi Nelson (the former five-star). How the coaches integrate these high-profile transfers will determine if they can actually compete in the Mountain West.
The utep football coaching staff is under a microscope. There’s no more "new coach" grace period. It's year three for the vision, year two for the main staff, and year one for the Mountain West era. The sun is hot in El Paso, but the seats on the sideline might be even hotter if the wins don't start piling up soon.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the spring game rotations. The staff usually tips their hand early on which "hybrid" roles (the Spurs and Bandits) they trust the most. These are the positions that define the Walden era, and their success—or failure—will be the story of UTEP's 2026 campaign.