Jan. 30, 2015
EL PASO, Texas – Longtime UTEP rifle coach George Brenzovich is retiring effective immediately, with former Miner and current assistant coach Hannah Muegge stepping into the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2014-15 season.
"I think my most exciting time was the 2011-12 season, leading the kids to the best performance in the history of the program at nationals, beating West Virginia by one point and earning the respect of teams across the nation," Brenzovich said. "Hannah was a member of that squad. I look forward to her passing that benchmark in the near future."
"We can't thank George enough for his contributions to UTEP Athletics," said Director of Athletics Bob Stull. "Under his leadership, the rifle program has annually ranked among the nation's finest. He has coached countless All-Americans during a coaching career that has spanned close to 40 years. We wish he and his wife Debbie the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives."
Brenzovich, who was in his 16th year at the helm of the program, enjoyed a tremendous run of success. Hired after an 18-year stint at Kings College, Brenzovich guided the Miners to team appearances at both the 2005 and 2012 NCAA Championships. His squads were consistently rated among the top-15 in the country, achieving the feat in 10 different seasons.
He was named the 2012 NCAA Rifle Coach of the Year after leading UTEP to a fifth-place showing at the NCAA Championships. The Miners finished in eighth place in 2005, which was their first trip to nationals since becoming an all-women's program during the 1994-95 season. Brenzovich also sent six individuals to the NCAA Championships during his tenure.
Brenzovich's shooters were well decorated by both the NRA and CRCA. They earned a total of 31 All-America honors, including three first-team members and a quintet of second-team honorees. One of his proudest moments came in 2012 when former Miner Alix Moncada became the first rifle athlete to garner the NCAA Elite 89 Award twice in a career.
A native of Frederictown, Pa., Brenzovich ensured the long-term viability of the program by overseeing its transition into a charter member of the Patriot Rifle Conference in 2013-14. Joining the Miners in the league were the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of Alaska, Nevada, Ohio State and TCU.
Prior to coming to UTEP, Brenzovich served as head coach at King's College for 18 years. He led King's College to its first appearance as a team at nationals in 1979, marking the first time that a Division III program reached the championships. In all, his squads made three national championship appearances while winning 18 conference titles.
He had shooters go on to compete nationally and internationally, including Denise Loring who won the world championships in air rifle in Scandinavia in 1979. Prior to coaching, he shot at King's College where he was the team champion for four consecutive years.
Brenzovich has also taught kinesiology classes on basic rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzle loader and marksmanship at UTEP, as well as a class on coaching principles and coaching certification under the American Sports Education program. He continues to offer firearms training courses. He was also teaching concealed handgun licensing for Texas.
He is a member of NSSF USA shooting and the National Rifle Association. A life-long member, he served as 2005 president of the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association. Brenzovich also served as the director of the civilian Marksmanship Program for the state of Texas. He is certified as a 4-h shooting sports instructor, as well as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education instructor.
