Robert Rodriguez Position: Linebackers Coach Alma Mater: UTEP 2004

One of the greatest linebackers in UTEP history, Robert Rodriguez returned to El Paso as defensive program coordinator for the 2008 campaign. He was elevated to linebackers coach for the 2010 season.

Last year Rodriguez worked with Jeremy Springer, who began his UTEP career as a quarterback and ended it as the team's leading tackler (70 stops). Josh Fely transferred in from San Diego Mesa College and made an immediate impact, ranking third on the team with 61 tackles. The Miners also received a highly productive year from Isaiah Carter (54 takedowns), who garnered honorable mention All-Conference USA honors for the second year in a row.

In his first year as a full-time assistant, Rodriguez coached four of the Miners' top seven tacklers, as Jamie Irving (79), Carter (75), Royzell Smith (72) and Anthony Morrow (67) combined for 293 stops.

Rodriguez ranks fifth on the all-time Miner tackle chart with 443 stops, including 33 for losses. He led the Western Athletic Conference in tackles in three of his four seasons at UTEP. Rodriguez was appointed the WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 after being credited with 121 tackles and 16 tackles for losses.

Following his stint with the Miners (2001-04), Rodriguez spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans in the NFL (2005) before playing for Cologne in NFL Europe (2006) and Calgary in the CFL (2006-07).

He was a prolific running back at Montwood High School in El Paso, earning All-City Offensive MVP honors as a senior when he rushed for 1,690 yards and 25 scores.

The El Paso native and Montwood High School graduate is married to the former Holly Taylor, who played soccer for the Miners from 2000-03. He graduated from UTEP in 2004.