Jeff Choate to Take Over UTEP Defensive Coordinator Duties

After a bit of a break from football news, we're back with a little more as Jeff Choate has officially been named the defensive coordinator for the UTEP football team. This was something that was rumored and speculated when new coach Sean Kugler was brought on board, but wasn't made official until today.

Choate has had quite the coaching career thus far, but this stint as the DC at UTEP will be his first as a coordinator. He played football at Montana-Western, and also served as an assistant there for two following his playing days.

After his time at Montana-Western, Choate spent time as both an assistant and head coach at Challis High School, Twin Falls High School, and Post Falls High School, all of which are in Idaho.

In 2001, Choate made his way back into college ranks, coaching the defensive line and safeties as a graduate assistant at Utah State University. He then moved on to coach special teams at Eastern Illinois, and then Boise State from 2006-2011.

In 2012, Choate was hired by new Washington State head coach Mike Leach to come on and join his staff as the linebackers coach for the Cougars.

Coach Kugler had this to say about Choate:

"Coach Choate is the epitome of an energizer bunny, his motor runs full 24/7. He has worked on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He was probably the top special teams coach in the country when he was at Boise State. He is one of the best recruiters you'll ever be around. He got the Texas pipeline started at Boise State. I'm excited about the unmatched energy he's going to bring on a daily basis to our program."

Choate seems like a solid choice to take over the Miners' defensive unit. He has spent decades coaching as an assistant, and while he hasn't been a coordinator as of yet, this chance may be all he was needing. Only, time will tell.