There has not been much discussion or speculation in the news regarding the UTEP fooball head coaching search. Andre Patterson has applied, former co-offensive coordinator Bob Connelly has expressed interest. The only new name that keeps coming up is Sam Houston State coach Willie Fritz who is denying he's had contact with Bob Stull. I'm disappointed at not hearing much on Dirk Koetter with his UTEP past ties. I thought for sure he would be the top candidate other than Patterson to get it. Connelly has only "expressed interest", but as of now it seems it's between Andre Patterson and Willie Fritz if what media reports are true.

There is now speculation that Dan Hawkins is "the guy" on Steve Kaplowitz's twitter. Don't know if I believe this because there isn't any other mention of Hawkins being the one in any news speculation site:

https://twitter.com/stevekaplowitz

Since Price announced his retirement interest has either been expressed (Patterson and Connelly) or rumored on boards like coachingsearch.com (Mangino, Koetter, Hawkins, Fritz).

I'd love to land Fritz or Koetter but most seem to think Koetter will be a head coach in the NFL soon and even as an OC in the NFL he makes a lot more than UTEP will likely pay.

I like that Stull takes on the responsibility of hiring a coach by himself. As a former head football coach he is best prepared to do that. He is also very good at keeping names and info close to the vest. Most coaching candidates don't want their name floated publicly because if they don't get the jog its a public let down for them.

Kappy keeps thinking and saying he thinks it's Dan Hawkins.

My concern there, is that many Boise St fans say that his Offensive Coordinator (who later became the BSU head coach), was the real mastermind behind their success. I have to wonder if there is some truth to that, due to the manner in which he failed at Colorado.