Wagner named associate head coach at Texas-El Paso

Advertiser Staff

Bob Wagner was the Miners' defensive coordinator.

Former University Hawai'i head football coach Bob Wagner has been named associate head coach at the University of Texas-El Paso as part of a staff shakeup resulting from the Miners' 2-9 season.

Wagner served as the Miners' defensive coordinator last season. That job will go to El Paso native Troy Reffett, a 12-year staff member who coached defensive backs last season. Reffett will be the Miners' fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons.

Wagner will still coach the linebackers, a UTEP spokes-man said. In addition, he is expected to assume some of head coach Gary Nord's administrative responsibilities.

Reffett will install the 4-2 defense — featuring four down linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs — that UTEP ran in its Western Athletic Conference co-championship season of 2000.

Wagner spent 19 years at UH, leading the Rainbows to their first two NCAA bowl appearances in 1989 and '92.