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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

USA Today: Is UTEP making a good move by hiring Tim Floyd?


Texas-El Paso, which lost coach Tony Barbee when he was hired at the Auburn University, has turned to a former Miners assistant coach to take over the program.

That former assistant is Tim Floyd, who served under Don Haskins on the Miners staff from 1978-1986.

But Floyd doesn't head to El Paso without some baggage.

The coach stepped down from his post at Southern California following the 2009 season amid allegations he committed recruiting violations. Reports said that Floyd gave $1,000 to Rodney Guillory, a handler for star player O.J. Mayo. Floyd has denied it.

ESPN.com's Andy Katz reports that UTEP was assured before hiring Floyd that he would not be punished in connection with the allegations at Soutern California.

So what do you think? Is this a good move for UTEP? Do you think they will continue to contend in Conference USA? (We think yes.) Or do you think that, in the long run, they might regret bringing in a coach with a, let's say, checkered past? (We think it's a strong posssibility.)

Pete Carroll, the former Southern California football coach, thinks it's a good move, saying via Twitter:

Sending out congrats to good friend tim floyd for getting the utep hoops job... Great coach & what an awesome hire for them

-- Tim Gardner

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