Bradley Dale Peveto was named defensive coordinator at UTEP in January, 2021.

During Peveto’s second season in 2022, the Miners ranked no. 1 in total defense (352.5 ypg) in Conference USA and 40th nationally. The run defense was second in C-USA (136.0 ypg), while the pass defense rated third (216.5) in a pass-happy league.

The UTEP defense came up with a huge performance when the Miners upset heavily-favored Boise State, 27-10, during a Friday night contest on CBS Sports Network. The Broncos registered 177 yards of total offense, while passing for 93 yards (13-of-34). Boise State finished 4-of-12 on third-down conversions.

The Miners came up with another stellar defensive effort, allowing only 71 yards in a 40-6 win over FIU on Senior Day. It was the least yards allowed since 2014 (at UTSA), while it ranks fifth-fewest yards allowed in program history. The Panthers threw for 56 yards on 6-of-21 passing, while LB Gary Theard came up with his first career interception. FIU gained a mere 15 rushing yards on 22 carries (0.7 avg.) and tallied five first downs. It was the 10th fewest yards allowed in program history, while the five first downs allowed were the least since 2014 (at UTSA).

At Charlotte, the Miners’ defense got involved in the 41-35 high-scoring shootout, tallying two touchdowns. The first came from LB Tyrice Knight on a 13-yard fumble return, while the second was on a 100-yard return by DE Jadrian Taylor. It was the longest returned defensive TD since 2007, while it’s the first time since 2014 (vs. Southern Miss) the defense found the end zone twice in a single game.

Taylor, who was named All-C-USA first team, led the conference and ranked tied 15th nationally with 9.5 sacks. Taylor’s sacks in 2022 rank fourth-most during a single season in program history. Taylor singed a free-agent contract with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers on

Following the regular season, along with Taylor earning an all-conference accolade, DE Praise Amaewhule and Knight were named second team performers. Five other defensive players earned honorable mentions – Dennis Barnes, Kobe Hylton (first season with Miners), Kelton Moss, Keenan Stewart, and Cal Wallerstedt.

Knight and Wallerstedt each totaled a team-high 95 tackles and ranked tied 10th in C-USA at 7.9 stops per game. Wallerstedt, who came into the season listed as the fourth linebacker on the depth chart, stepped in at no. 9 Oklahoma after multiple injuries to the other linebackers, and tallied five tackles with a sack. Wallerstedt ranked fourth in C-USA with 8.0 sacks. He also led the team and ranked third in C-USA with 14.5 tackles for loss. Hylton impressed in his first season, tallying 91 tackles (third best on the team) and 10.0 tackles for loss.

In Peveto’s first season (2021), UTEP ranked second in C-USA in total defense (348.8) – the highest ranking in total defense in over 12 seasons. The Miners ranked fourth in the league in scoring defense (25.2), the highest since 2012, while it was the lowest points yielded by a UTEP defense since 2004 (25.1). The Miners’ rushing defense (138.6) ranked fifth in C-USA, while their third-down conversion percentage defense (32.6) ranked second in the C-USA and 12th nationally.

UTEP’s defense harassed signal callers with 25 sacks during the 2021 season, the most since 2014. Jadrian Taylor, a 2021 honorable mention All-Conference USA defensive end, led the Miners with 6.5 sacks, and ranked sixth in C-USA. Praise Amaewhule tallied 5.5 sacks to rank second on the squad. Amaewhule, who was named first team All-C-USA, also led the Miners in tackles for loss (13.0), quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (three).

The Miners’ passing defense ranked third in C-USA, giving up only 210.0 yards per game. It was the highest ranking by a UTEP pass defense since 2016. UTEP picked off eight passes, the most since 2014. Dy’vonne Inyang led the squad with three interceptions, while Dennis Barnes picked off two passes. Both were named honorable mention All-C-USA.

Under Peveto’s watch, a pair of UTEP linebackers tallied over 100 tackles each. Breon Hayward (108 tackles) and Tyrice Knight (102 tackles) accomplished the feat for the first time since the 2005 season. Hayward added a defensive touchdown during a win 26-14 win at Southern Miss on a fumble forced by Amaewhule.

Defensive tackles Keenan Stewart and Kelton Moss were tabbed honorable mention All-C-USA after combining for 58 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and a QB hurry each. Stewart registered 2.0 sacks on the season while Moss recorded a key fumble recovery during UTEP’s come-from-behind win against rival New Mexico.

Peveto had accumulated more than 30 years of coaching experience after spending the previous seven seasons as an assistant in the Southeastern Conference, with stops at Texas A&M, Ole Miss, LSU and Kentucky. Most recently, Peveto served as the linebackers coach at Texas A&M from 2018-19. Overall, Peveto has 13 years of experience as an assistant coach in the SEC.

Peveto is teaming with coach Dana Dimel for the second time. He was the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Houston from 1999-02.

Prior to his tenure at Texas A&M, Peveto served as the linebackers coach at Ole Miss during the 2017 season. In the first of his two stints at LSU, Peveto led the linebackers and also served as the special teams coordinator (2005-07) and the co-defensive coordinator (2008). Peveto returned to LSU in 2014 and spent three seasons on the staff, directing the linebackers and serving as the special teams coordinator.

Peveto also brought head coaching experience to the Sun City after leading the Northwestern State Demons from 2009-12. He also served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1996-98. Following his stint at NSU in 2012, Peveto served as the safeties and special teams coordinator at Kentucky in 2013.

Peveto has also made stops at Middle Tennessee (DC/DB/LB 2003-04), Arkansas (LB/Special Teams Coordinator 1994-95), Southern Miss (LB/Special Teams Coordinator 1992-93), Stephen F. Austin (LB/DL/DB/Special Teams Coordinator 1988-91) and Trinity Valley Community College (DB 1987).

A four-year letterwinner as a defensive back at SMU, Peveto served as team captain as a senior in 1986. He was also named the Wild Mustang Special Teams Player of the Year and was the recipient of the Mike Kelsey Award during his playing days. After graduating from SMU in 1987, he added a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin in 1989.

Peveto has coached in 10 bowl games at the FBS level, including the 2007 BCS National Championship, where he helped lead LSU to the national championship. Peveto’s teams also made four appearances in the FCS Playoffs, while he helped lead Stephen F. Austin to the FCS National Championship in 1989. He has coached 39 players that went on to the NFL.

Peveto and his wife Melissa have two children, Payton and Jake.

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