Mike Price Retires: An Emotional Farewell for UTEP Football Coach [VIDEO]

Overcome by emotion as he talked about his friendship with the man who likely forced him out of the job he loved, Director of Athletics Bob Stull, UTEP head coach Mike Price announced his retirement, effective as of the final whistle of the Miners' final game this Saturday against the Rice Owls.

In his 31-year-career as head football coach, Price was National Coach of the Year at Washington State coaching the Cougars to two Rose Bowl appearances. At UTEP, he took the Miners to three bowl games, matching Mike Brumbelow for most all-time. He also finishes as the second-winningest coach (48 wins) in program history behind only Mack Saxon (66 wins).

With wife Joyce by his side, Price teared up in talking about their friendship with Bob and Kim Stull, calling it one of the most unique he's ever had with any boss at a university. But, as Price himself acknowledged, a seventh-straight losing season was too much for him to keep his job.