UTEP fired an offensive coordinator over the weekend. The program announced that Brent Pease had been shown the door. That's the bad. The good? The university had the solid fortune of being able to look in-house for Pease's replacement. That guy is Brian Natkin.

There was good reason to let Pease go, for what it is worth. This wasn't exactly a program hurling a coach under the bus for the sake of it.

Through three games this season, UTEP ranks second-to-last nationally in total offense, currently operating at averaging only 204.7 yards per game, not mention yards per play (3.89). Yeah … so, that's not great.

Fans have not been thrilled.

The Miners are also 125th (out of 130 teams) in scoring at 13 points per game. Again, pretty awful stuff. Obviously, we are not endorsing anyone losing their jobs, but there's no way the team could continue to function the way that it was. Even if Brian Natkin isn't the actual fix, or if Pease wasn't really the problem, the team has to try to do something different.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. You know the drill.

Natkin began the season as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. He was an All-American tight end at UTEP a decade-and-a-half ago. He has some pedigree. Natkin became a full-time assistant at his alma mater in 2011.

The promotion of Natkin does result in some other fallout on the staff. Can't promote one guy, while firing another, without there being some movement.

Wide receivers coach Chuck Veliz will take over Pease’s other role as quarterbacks coach, while safeties coach Don Yanowsky assume Natkin’s duties as special teams coordinator.

Natkin will continue in his role as tight ends coach.