When you’re taking over one of the toughest jobs in the FBS that only has one bowl appearance since 2014 to its name, you’ve got to think outside the box to garner some fan interest.
New UTEP coach Scotty Walden did just on Thursday night during the Miners men’s basketball team’s game against Louisiana Tech. Walden, who at 34 is the second-youngest head coach in the FBS, fired up the crowd at the game while wearing body paint that read “Win The West.”
Walden jumped on top of the media table, ran into the student section and even helped fans distract free-throw shooters.
Here's the full video of UTEP football coach Scotty Walden (@CoachSWUTEP) running around the Haskins Center in full body paint tonight.
Highlights:
The media table jump
Going to the student section
Distracting free throw shootersScotty DOES know how to fire up a crowd. pic.twitter.com/Oh3EXY7v4h
— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) February 23, 2024
Hired this offseason to replace former coach Dana Dimel, who had previously had the job in El Paso since 2018, Walden comes from Austin Peay. In four seasons with the Governors, he had a 26-14 season.
The most impressive result came this past fall when he led them to a 9-3 record and their second-ever appearance in the FCS playoffs.
There are few jobs in the highest echelon of college football more challenging than UTEP, especially in the current NIL and recruiting landscape, but it seems Walden certainly has the energy that will be required to win in West Texas.
