UTPB football coach Justin Carrigan announced the first additions to his coaching staff Friday afternoon, bringing on Chris Mineo as Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line coach and Jacob Martin as Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers coach.

"I'm beyond excited to have these coaches join me in building this program," Carrigan said. "I have never been around two guys more loyal and hardworking than Chris and Jacob. They are tireless recruiters and coaches who have an unbelievable amount passion for this game." 

Mineo returns home to the Permian Basin, having graduated from Permian High School as a first-team all-District 4-5A offensive tackle and second team all-District defensive end as a senior in 2000. Chris played for both Randy Mayes and TJ Mills who were head coaches during his Mojo days. "It was a no brainer for me to hire Chris and bring him back home," Carrigan noted.

He spent the last seven seasons as a defensive assistant coach at Tarleton State, focusing on the defensive line while also spending the last two seasons as recruiting coordinator. 

Mineo graduated from Texas-El Paso after a four-year career as a defensive lineman with the Miners. He was named first team all-WAC in 2004 as a junior, making 50 tackles on the season with eight sacks on the year. Mineo finished his collegiate career ranked #2 on the all-time sacks record at UTEP. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins and returned to UTEP as a student assistant in 2006 before going to Tarleton State in 2008.

Martin was a two-time state champion at Celina High School in Celina, Texas, after a pair of back-to-back perfect 16-0 seasons under head coach G.A. Moore.

He comes to UTPB after five seasons at Tarleton State, coaching different positions on the defensive side along with holding camp director and video coordinator duties.

Martin began his collegiate playing career at Trinity Valley Community College where he was a two-time all-conference selection and preseason JUCO All-American.

He played his final two seasons at Midwestern State where he was a two-time honorable mention all-LSC selection at inside linebacker in 2007 and 2008. He ranked second on defense in tackles both seasons, ending his career at MSU with 127 total tackles. "I've seen Jacob's work as a player and a coach. As the Strength and Conditioning coach at Midwestern State I was able to coach Jacob on a daily basis. The same drive and passion that he played with is exactly how he coaches," said Carrigan.