Tulane offensive coordinator Eric Price is in the uncomfortable situation of coaching this Saturday against his father, Mike Price, in a game the elder Price probably cannot afford to lose after UTEP's 1-6 start this season. After the Green Wave's practice on Thursday, Eric Price talked to The Wave Report.com about the awkwardness of the situation and the success Tulane had against SMU last Saturday.

You coached against your dad once, two years ago when you were the offensive coordinator at Memphis in a 16-13 loss at UTEP. What are your memories of that game?

"It was a very strange deal for me, especially pregame seeing everybody out there that you know. Growing up every weekend rooting for my dad obviously, it's always been a big deal whether he wins or loses, so it's a very strange deal to try to beat him. I found myself very focused in trying to separate that. They kicked the last field goal there and won."

How was it once the game started?

"Once the game started, it was a little more normal. You focused on the Xs and Os so much that you don't have time to think about. It was more just pregame and watching film a little bit during the week and seeing the team that I'm used to watching as mine. But it's fun. It's real competitive. I talk to my brother (UTEP offensive coordinator Aaron Price) and my dad every night."

So you're routine hasn't changed in terms of talking to them this week?

"No. No. I talk to him all the time I said, 'yeah, we had a great practice today,' and he said, 'ours was even better.'"

UTEP is struggling this year at 1-6. Does that make it a little awkward for you trying to give your dad another loss?

"All those things will come into play a little bit in the back of my mind. It's harder. It's hard for me because they are having such a bad year. Last year I was just peeled on to the radio (listening to UTEP's 33-11 loss to Tulsa). I get more upset sometimes for their games than for my own. This week I just have to put that aside and do my job."

Their defense has been pretty good this year. They held Oklahoma to 24 points. What do you see in that unit?

"They've done a really good job. Andre Patterson, their defensive coordinator, gave me my first coaching job. He was the head coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He was the head coach and he hired me as the receivers coach."

How much easier is it to coach this week with guys now knowing what you're preaching can lead to a win?



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