Miner Rush, a UTEP Miners community

Rivals ($) is reporting that Tony Barbee recruit Jamison Stearns has asked to be released from his letter of intent with UTEP. The move gives Tim Floyd another scholarship to work with. Here's wishing Jamison the best of luck in the future.

CBS Sports.com's Dennis Dodd claims that the NCAA Committee on Infractions will assess a "Show Cause" penalty to Tim Floyd that would be enforced during his tenure in El Paso. Dodd notes that he spoke with Bob Stull who doesn't believe such a penalty will be assessed and stated that UTEP did their "due diligence" before hiring Floyd. ESPN's Andy Katz doesn't believe a show-cause will be levied, but this is the first time I've seen a national journalist claim to have a source that believes Floyd will be punished. A Dodd Quote: "I person familiar with the NCAA process told me that such a penalty would follow Floyd to UTEP. That's potentially a messy situation."

Andy Katz is reporting that UTEP has hired Tim Floyd to be their newest head basketball coach and replace the departed Tony Barbee.

The El Paso Times' Biill Knight has a nice round-up of where the UTEP mens basketball coaching search stands as of this morning. With all the movement in the last 24 hours, I wouldn't be surprised if we have an official announcement very soon. Excerpt: "Most thought Floyd to be the top choice, but recently his name has drifted out of the picture. He interviewed with UTEP athletic director Bob Stull last weekend in New Orleans. Floyd also interviewed with the University of Houston last weekend. Sources close to the search say "it's not dead yet" and that it is safe to assume talks are still ongoing with Floyd."

I guess I'll have to wait a couple of hours before every posting anything that Steve Kaplowitz reports. After earlier reporting that UTEP's hiring of Randall Dickey was a done deal and that an "announcement could come as soon as today," Kaplowitz has retracted his story and apologized for jumping the gun. Miner athletic director Bob Stull contacted Kaplowitz and convinced him that he has not made a decision yet.

So, the Floyd rumors do not appear to be true. It looks like Bob Stull has tabbed one of Tony Barbee's top assistants to take over the UTEP mens basketball program. The University has not confirmed the Kaplowitz report yet.

Excerpt: "UTEP is serious about Tim Floyd. The Miners can get over the USC issues as the school and Floyd wait for the committee on infractions to issue penalties. Houston is close to getting Billy Gillispie, the former Kentucky, Texas A&M and UTEP coach. But both of these C-USA jobs could still hit a snag due to the nature of both candidates."

Scratch Sam Houston State's Bob Marlin off the list of potential coaches for the vacant head coaching job at UTEP. Also, it looks like Mach Rhoades' Houston Cougars are zeroing in on Billy Gillispie or Tim Floyd (Houston Chronicle).

A quick hire tells me that Bob Stull has been doing his homework. It also points towards him hiring someone he already knows well. Floyd?