UTEP position coach Todd Whitten accepts Tarleton State Head Coaching Job

For the first two years of Sean Kugler's tenure coaching changes were limited to just one, but now one of three changes is now official as wide receivers coach Todd Whitten was introduced as Tarleton State's head coach this morning.

Whitten returns to Stephenville for his second head coaching stint after six years as the head man at Tarelton in the 1996 season, and from 2000 through the 2004 season.

He will join his son Tate who is a wide receiver at Tarleton, the Texans went 3-7 last season and 1-5 in conference.

The 27-year coaching veteran went 45-23 as Tarleton's head coach in his first go round, and is the second winningest coach in that program's history.

"I feel like I'm coming home," said Whitten who interviewed for the job on Wednesday. "I'm very excited to be back at Tarleton. This is a very special place and it's an incredible job. I'm very thankful to be chosen.

"He brings a wealth of experience as a head coach at the Division I and Division II levels," Tarleton State Athletic Directo Lonn Reisman said in a release. "He is an innovator, he is creative, and he has one of the most tremendous offensive minds in the country. I have all the confidence in the world that Todd will bring enthusiasm and energy to our football program."

Whitten is a four-time Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year, and leaves UTEP with their third coaching vacancy.