Former WSU Coach Mike Price Decides to Retire - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

College Football

Former WSU Coach Mike Price Decides to Retire

Updated:
Former Washington State coach Mike Price, now at UTEP, has decided to retire after coaching for 31 years (Photo: UTEP Athletics) Former Washington State coach Mike Price, now at UTEP, has decided to retire after coaching for 31 years (Photo: UTEP Athletics)

EL PASO, Texas - UTEP coach Mike Price is retiring after a 31-year career notable for two Rose Bowl bids at Washington State and a drinking binge that cost him the Alabama job before he ever coached a game for the Crimson Tide.

Price announced the decision Monday with one game left in his ninth season with the Miners (3-8). He led UTEP to 8-4 records and bowl games his first two years in El Paso but hasn't had a winning record since.

After leading Washington State to the Rose Bowl in 2002, Price was hired by Alabama. That spring, he was fired after admitting to drinking heavily and going to a topless bar after attending a golf tournament in Florida.

Price, who started at Weber State in 1981, has a 177-182 career record.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

  • College SportsCollege

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:33 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:33:26 GMT
    The Washington State football team has added a two-game series with Rutgers.
    The Washington State football team has added a two-game series with Rutgers.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:05:59 GMT
    Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien (class of 2015) has been offered by Boise State.
    Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien (class of 2015) has been offered by Boise State.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:50 GMT
    The Eastern Washington men's basketball team has a few big-name schools on its schedule for the 2013-14 season.
    The Eastern Washington men's basketball team has a few big-name schools on its schedule for the 2013-14 season.
    •   

  • Extra PointsExtra Points

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 AM EDT2013-06-19 05:46:03 GMT
    Legh won the 2004 Ironman Coeur d'Alene and returns this year to compete in Sunday's race for the first time since that victory. The Australian gave a talk to Team Blaze at Fleet Feet on Tuesday.
    Chris Legh won the 2004 Ironman Coeur d'Alene and returns this year to compete in Idaho for the first time since then. The Australian gave a talk to Team Blaze at Fleet Feet on Tuesday.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:52:34 GMT
    Phil Kiver is one of three finalists for the Mariners in People Magazine's "Tribute to Heroes" campaign.
    Phil Kiver is one of three finalists for the Mariners in People Magazine's "Tribute to Heroes" campaign.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:54:50 GMT
    We brought you the story of Amanda Lowrey in May, an Idaho mom that was a finalist for a reality TV show, "Extreme Huntress." After an online voting period, Lowrey is a finalist.
    We brought you the story of Amanda Lowrey in May, an Idaho mom that was a finalist for a reality TV show, "Extreme Huntress." After an online voting period, Lowrey is a finalist.
    •   

  • Washington St.Washington State

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:33 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:33:26 GMT
    The Washington State football team has added a two-game series with Rutgers.
    The Washington State football team has added a two-game series with Rutgers.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:05:59 GMT
    Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien (class of 2015) has been offered by Boise State.
    Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien (class of 2015) has been offered by Boise State.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:27 AM EDT2013-06-18 06:27:10 GMT
    A station official says the cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking Steve Gleason for having Lou Gehrig's disease.
    A station official says the cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking Steve Gleason for having Lou Gehrig's disease.
    •