Former USC Coach Tim Floyd to be named UTEP men’s basketball coach

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Former USC men’s basketball Coach Tim Floyd has been hired to take the same position at University of Texas at El Paso and will be introduced by the university at a press conference at 3 p.m. PST, according to a university spokesman.

Floyd, who was most recently an assistant for the New Orleans Hornets, was considered a favorite for the position to replace Tony Barbee, who left to become the head coach at Auburn, because he spent nine seasons with the Minors (1978-86) as an assistant under legendary Coach Don Haskins.

After spending four seasons at USC, Floyd resigned last summer amid allegations he gave a onetime confidant of former Trojans star O.J. Mayo a cash payment. Floyd repeatedly has denied these allegations, most recently at USC’s meeting with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions in February.

It is expected that the NCAA will announce whatever sanctions, if any, it will hand down to USC and possibly to Floyd in the coming month. Sources told ESPN.com that UTEP officials were assured before hiring Floyd that he would not be penalized by the NCAA.

-- Baxter Holmes