Darren Brunson Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: St. Mary's (Texas)

With a wealth of experience as a coach, athletic administrator and educator, not to mention a standout playing career at the collegiate level, there are few assistant coaches in the country with a better pedigree than Darren Brunson.

In his seventh year on the Miners' coaching staff after coming to UTEP during the spring of 2002, Brunson has played an integral role in helping turn the Miners into a championship caliber program that has drawn notice both regionally and nationally.

He has been highly involved with UTEP's recruiting efforts, particularly in the states of Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, while also assisting in the day-to-day aspects of the program.

Brunson came to UTEP after 15 years at Independence Community College, where he wore many hats.

From 1991-2001, Brunson served as the director of athletics at Independence. During that span, Brunson took the Independence athletics department to a higher level with innovative fund-raising campaigns.

Brunson first went to Independence in 1987 as the assistant men's basketball coach. In 1989 he took over the women's program and helped rebuild the team into an annual contender for the conference title.

He also took on the assistant director of athletics title during his time as head women^s basketball coach. In addition, he was the men's and women's basketball academic counselor.

During the 1990 season, Brunson was called to active military duty for Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, where he received the Army Commendation Medal and a Certificate of Achievement.

Brunson taught business courses, served as an academic and career counselor, chaired the physical education division and worked as a residence hall director while at Independence.

A native of Wichita, Kan., Brunson is a 1987 graduate of St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He later earned his master's in administration from Pittsburg State in 1998.

While at St. Mary's, Brunson was a standout guard on the basketball team. He then served as a student assistant coach at St. Mary's from 1985 to 1987. He was inducted into the St. Mary's Hall of Fame in 2004.

Brunson is married to Cynthia and has three sons (Darren, Jr. 20, Darius 10, Deion eight) and a daughter (Deiona, one).