Southern California men’s basketball coach Tim Floyd reportedly has resigned, one month after being
accused of paying someone to help steer former star O.J. Mayo to the school.
The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss., reported Tuesday that Floyd submitted a one-paragraph letter of
resignation to athletic director Mike Garrett.
The paper obtained that letter, which read:
"As of 1 p.m. today, I am resigning as head basketball coach at the University of Southern
California. I deeply appreciate the opportunity afforded me by the university, as well as the chance to
know and work with some of the finest young men in college athletics. Unfortunately, I know longer feel
I can offer the level of enthusiasm to my duties that is deserved by the university, my coaching staff,
my players, their families, and the supporters of Southern Cal. I always promised my self and my family
that if I ever felt I could no longer give my full enthusiasm to a job, that I should leave it to others
who could. I intend to contact my coaching staff and my players in coming days and weeks to tell them
how much each of them means to me. I wish the best to USC and to my successor."
Floyd, who turned around the Trojans program in his four seasons there, led the team to the NCAA
tournament the last three seasons, a first in school history.
In May, Yahoosports.com reported that one-time Mayo confidant Louis Johnson said Floyd made a payment of
$1,000 to Rodney Guillory, a "runner" for sports agent Bill Duffy.
Such a payment would be a major violation of NCAA rules.