In a press release Thursday announcing Brent Pease as the new offensive coordinator, UTEP also announced Ken Flajole as defensive coordinator. However, the school sent out a “corrected” release a short time later that excluded Flajole.
Three days later, Flajole’s “replacement” has been found.
In another release, Sean Kugler revealed that veteran college assistant Tom Mason will coordinate the defensive side of the ball. Mason brings a wealth of experience to Kugler’s staff, having served as a coach in one capacity or another for almost 40 years.
“Tom is an outstanding coach, who comes highly recommended and brings a lot of experience to UTEP, “ said head coach Sean Kugler. “He has 38 years of experience in coaching many of those as a defensive coordinator. ...
“We feel his defensive scheme fits our personnel and I am looking forward to him working with our players.”
Mason spent 2015 as the coordinator and defensive line coach at Hawaii. Prior to that, Mason was SMU’s defensive coordinator for seven seasons. After June Jones resigned two games into the 2014 season, Mason spent the rest of the year as the Mustangs’ interim head coach.
Other collegiate stops during Mason’s four-decade career that included Fresno State, Nevada, Northern Iowa, Boise State, Portland State, and Eastern Washington.
As for Flajole? After he accepted Kugler’s offer, he received another offer for a position with the Philadelphia Eagles and accepted it.
