O.J. Mayo ruins former coach's career

June 9, 9:46 PMCollege Sports ExaminerJacob Osterhout

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Tough times for Floyd.

Okay, maybe the title is an overstatement. Tim Floyd's career is not really over, but he'll no longer be the men's basketball coach at USC, that's for sure.

On Tuesday, USC released a statement announcing that Floyd had submitted his letter of resignation.

Since mid-May, Floyd has been fending off reports that he personally gave Rodney Guillory, the handler of former USC guard O.J. Mayo, a thousand dollars cash, which would be a major NCAA violation.

The Clarion-Ledger published Floyd's resignation letter:

“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 no 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.”

During his four-season tenure at USC, Floyd compiled an 85-50 overall record and made it to the NCAA Tournament three seasons in a row. He guided the Trojans to the Sweet Sixteen back in 2007. But Floyd will be best be known for luring top high school recruit O.J. Mayo to USC.

Mayo only stayed for one season of college ball in Los Angeles before bolting for the NBA. During that single season, USC could not capitalize on his talent, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Kansas State.

Ironically, the arrival of Mayo at USC was Floyd's biggest achievement and the eventual reason for his downfall. In the end, Floyd got what he wanted but he paid a price - a thousand bucks cash and resignation letter.