 He served as an assistant coach for UTEP from 1993 to 2000 under David Lee, Charlie Bailey and Gary Nord before serving assistant coach stints for the NFL's Detroit Lions, Boise State under Chris Petersen and the NFL's Buffalo Bills before joining the NFL's Steelers staff under Mike Tomlin.In Kugler's first season, the Miners compiled a record of 2–10.The Kugler era began with a 42–35 overtime loss to New Mexico.