Offshore wagering on UTEP was up and down this past season as the Miners won Conference USA and made the NCAA Tournament. Things are going to be different next season as UTEP has hired former USC head coach Tim Floyd. The Miners may not get as much respect next season at online wagering companies.
Offshore wagering this past season indicated the Miners won 26 games but covered the spread only 14 times. Floyd is a big name but one that is surrounded by controversy. He left USC after the 2009 season with allegations surrounding the recruiting of O.J. Mayo. He was recently an assistant coach for the New Orleans Hornets. Floyd replaces Tony Barbee who took the head coaching position at Auburn.
UTEP athletic director Bob Stull said Floyd was his first choice. “In that first phone call, he said he was definitely interested,” Stull said. Floyd went 85-50 at USC and took the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament three times. Online wagering companies respected the Trojans during that time and the team made the Sweet Sixteen in 2007. Floyd was an assistant to Don Haskins from 1978-86. He had stops at Idaho, New Orleans and Iowa State before taking the head job with the Chicago Bulls in 1998. He briefly led New Orleans before going to USC and went back there after his stint with the Trojans.
USC did not offer much support for Floyd amid the allegations surrounding Mayo. The NCAA has not completed their investigation but USC concluded in their own investigation that there were rules violations involving Mayo. The school forfeited 21 wins from the 2007-2008 offshore wagering season. They also took away one scholarship through the 2010-11 season and stayed out of the postseason for a season. “I left a place because I didn’t feel supported,” Floyd said. “I’m coming to a place where I know they support their coaches and more importantly, their student athletes.”
There is not much doubt that Floyd can coach. The offshore wagering questions surround his recruiting of players and his decision to leave USC. The Miners were very good this season under Barbee and may take a step back under Floyd. Conference USA is not that good though so UTEP shouldn’t fall too far next season in offshore wagering. And against the point spread they may actually be improved next season.