UTEP Football: Kugler hires Derrius Bell as new cornerbacks coach

Sean Kugler announced Tuesday that Derrius Bell will be the Miners new cornerbacks coach, a new coaching position in UTEP's change to a 3-4 defensive scheme.

Bell was a former Rivals three-star prospect who played under current UTEP defensive coordinator Tom Mason at SMU, and was on SMU's coaching staff as a defensive quality control coach the past three seasons.  He was also a graduate assistant for a season under Mason while Mason was still at SMU.

His playing career was cut short at SMU due to concussions after three seasons as a cornerback.

In 2012, he was instrumental in the Mustangs defense that posted two shutouts and tied an NCAA interception record, ranking 15th in rush defense with just 118 yards per game, while also tying for third in takeaways (37), ranking second in fumble recoveries for touch­down (16) and led the nation in interceptions for touchdown (eight).

Immediately jumping into the coaching profession after his playing days, Mason applauded the physical play Bell displayed at SMU as player and hope it rubs off on a group of young UTEP corners.

Kugler said Bell doesn't have a set recruiting area as of yet, but will bring a young, and energetic angle to UTEP's recruiting efforts.

Bell said he never played against UTEP while a player at SMU, but his brother is former UTEP defensive back Dustin Bell who played at UTEP in 2008, and in 2009.

Kugler also explained the restructure of defensive coaches with the new 3-4 scheme.

Don Yanowsky will now coach the safeties, while Mason will be in charge of all of the linebackers.  Andrew Browning will coach UTEP's three down lineman, with Bell manning the corners.

UTEP starts spring practices March 14^th, season tickets will also go on sale in early March.