UTEP Basketball Coach Gives Lift To Pitt Players Ahead of Sun Bowl

The one thing you hear most often from people who come through El Paso is how hospitable everyone is here. As a transplant, I can confirm it's true. El Paso is home to some of the most kind, hospitable people I have ever met.

Players and coaches who come here to play at the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl generally say the same thing after they've gone through the experience.

Now, 3 Pitt football players can probably attest to that better than anyone before.

The unlikely hero and source of that hospitality -- UTEP men's basketball head coach Joe Golding.

KTSM Sports Director Colin Deaver broke the story, which then got picked up by ESPN and other national outlets.

Golding, his wife, and his two sons were stuck in Dallas Love Field airport due to flight delays and cancellations. That's when he ran into three Pitt football players in the same dilemma.

Check out his solution:

"In a weird sense in a 9-hour drive you can become really close," Golding said during his Tuesday media availability. "We spend a lot of time together, so we'll see, man. I think those three guys and our family will stay in touch for a long time."

Let's call it a Christmas miracle - seeing as how most families can hardly survive 9 hours in a car together. I'm also guessing the Goldings will now be pulling for Pitt over UCLA in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl... but who knows. Kickoff is set for Noon on Friday, Dec. 30.