Jun 10, 2010
UTEP issues statement in response to NCAA's findings at Southern Cal
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Recommend When the University of Texas-El Paso hired Tim Floyd on March 30, some questioned the move as Floyd's name was still linked to an NCAA investigation into alleged payments made to a handler for O.J. Mayo at Southern Cal.
On Thursday, the NCAA made public its punishment for USC over the alleged violations and while the association hammered the USC's football program, it said the self-imposed penalties to the men's basketball program were sufficient and added no more sanctions.
UTEP, which has maintained its position that Floyd would not be punished further by the NCAA, responded Thursday with a statement from athletics director Bob Stull saying that it is pleased with the NCAA's findings.
"We are pleased with today's announcement and the results of the NCAA's report. Tim Floyd has had a nearly 30-year relationship with UTEP and we regard him not only as an outstanding coach, but as an individual of the highest character. I'm sure that Tim is happy to put this behind him and we look forward to him leading our basketball program."
Floyd's attorney, Jim Darnell, released a statement on behalf of the coach later in the day:
As you are all aware by now, the National Collegiate Athletic Association issued its report today regarding the University of Southern California athletic program. What you have not seen is the cover letter from the NCAA to Coach Floyd, which states:
"The committee did not name you in any findings of violations or impose a penalty upon you."
As coach has wanted to say publicly for a long time: "It didn't happen."
We are pleased at this outcome, but certainly not surprised. The Committee did its work and reached the right conclusion. Neither COach nor any of his assistants was found to have violated any of the NCAA rules at play in this case.
The school said Floyd would have no further comment at this time.
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