Linebacker A.J. Hotchkins is living up to his potential after transferring to UTEP and is helping lead the team. Bret Bloomquist/El Paso Times
Tony Sanchez understands the depths the UTEP football team has found itself in. He has seen the view from there.
The 44-year-old, a New Mexico State alumnus who coached receivers at Irvin High in 2000, is in his fourth year at the helm of University of Nevada-Las Vegas and has the Rebels ready for a breakthrough.
They have improved in each year under him — two wins in four of the five years before he got there, then three, four and five victories respectively in his first three years — and after playing USC to a standstill for three quarters in a highly competitive 43-21 loss, they seem ready for a breakthrough.