UTEP Football Head Coach Scotty Walden finalized the graduate assistants for the program, announcing Miguel Avina, Kade Glenn, Jalen Spady and Addison Tucker to the staff.

Avina will serve as a graduate assistant – quarterbacks for Coach Walden this season. He followed Walden to UTEP from Austin Peay where he was an offensive graduate assistant/quarterbacks coach the last two seasons. Avina assisted the head coach with meetings, game prep, recruiting, drill work and academic updates.

Avina was part of a program at Austin Peay that won back-to-back conference titles while going undefeated in UAC action during the 2023 season and earning an FCS playoff berth.

Avina was a four-year starting quarterback at Whittier College from 2016-2020. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from Whittier College in 2020.

"Coach Avina joins our staff after serving as my quarterbacks GA at Austin Peay for the past two seasons," Walden said. "Before then, he played quarterback at Whittier College in Southern California, which provided him with a wealth of knowledge about the position. Miguel is one of the most selfless people I know. He will give everything he has for the program, and I am fired up to continue having him on staff here in the 915! Miner Nation, welcome Miguel to the Sun City!"

Glenn will assist with the defensive backs. He rejoins Walden after serving as an assistant to the defensive coordinator and corners coach at Austin Peay during the 2023 campaign. Glenn assisted with recruiting while also doing defensive film breakdown and scouting reports. Glen served as a defensive graduate assistant at North Alabama during the 2022 season.

Glenn played defensive back at Keiser University (2017-20) and the University of New Haven during the 2021 season. Glenn received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing from Keiser University Magna Cum Laude in 2020.

"Coach Glenn joins our staff in El Paso after assisting with the DBs at Austin Peay and before that, he assisted the defensive coordinator at North Alabama with the linebackers," Walden said. "Kade brings a wealth of knowledge to the table after working with almost every position on the defensive side of the ball. He has an incredible passion for the game and will do whatever it takes for our players to be successful. El Paso, join me in welcoming Kade to the Sun City!"

Spady will assist with the offensive line. Spady played center and guard at Florida A&M (2019-2021) under head coach Willie Simmons and position coach Ryan Stanchek, UTEP's current offensive line coach. Spady went on to play professional football with the XFL's Orlando Guardians for head coach Terrell Buckley during the 2023 season. He saw action in seven games while starting in three. His college football career started at Glendale College (2017-2018).

Spady's coaching career began at Florida A&M as a football operations intern (Jan.-Oct. '22). He then served as player development that started in January 2023. Spady assisted the football coaching staff with the implementation of academic plans for football student-athletes. He also tracked player progress in the classroom and on the field, assuring each player hits their metrics for a successful season.

He has a familiar last name within the program as his father James Spady was an All-Western Athletic Conference center at UTEP (1985-88) while also serving in a coaching capacity. He started as a graduate assistant (1993-95), then was hired as the tight ends coach (1996-99) before being named defensive line coach (2000-03).

Spady graduated from Florida A&M University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in December 2021.

"Coach Spady joins our staff after assisting with player development at Florida A&M where he played a vital role in the day-to-day success of their players," Walden said. "Prior to that, Jalen played in the XFL on the offensive line for the Orlando Guardians. Jalen's experience at the collegiate and professional levels provides him with an incredible amount of knowledge about the game that will play into the success of our offensive line. Miner Nation, join me in welcoming Jalen back to the 915!"

Tucker will assist with the defensive line this upcoming season. Tucker comes to UTEP from Austin Peay where he started in June 2022 as defensive line quality control .

Tucker commenced his coaching career at Lincoln University (Sept. 2018 – May 2022). He served as a linebacker coach/defensive graduate assistant, while also handling the duty as head video coordinator.

Tucker was a linebacker for four seasons (2014-2017) before he graduated from Lincoln University (Mo.) in May 2018 with Cum Laude Honors.

"Coach Tucker comes to El Paso after assisting with the defensive line for the past two seasons at Austin Peay," Walden said. "Addison's growth over the past two seasons has been fun to watch, and I cannot wait to see him take it to a new level here in El Paso! His attention to detail, unselfishness, and level of care for our players is unmatched. El Paso, join me in welcoming Addison to the Sun City!"