UTEP’s Joe Golding introduces basketball coaching staff to media

EL PASO, Texas - We know Joe Golding is the new face of UTEP Men's Basketball, but now we officially know the faces that will be joining him on the Miners' bench.

Tuesday, Golding formally introduced his coaching staff to the media.

As had been reported, former Stephen F. Austin assistant Jeremy Cox will serve as the Associate Head Coach.

Cox comes to UTEP after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant to Kyle Keller with the Lumberjacks, which included an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018.

“I’m very fortunate to have Jeremy as my associate head coach," says Golding of Cox. "He was one of the first phone calls I made after accepting the job and he was on a plane a few days later. He has coached and won at every level in college basketball for some of the best coaches in our game."

Power Five coaching veteran Butch Pierre also joins the staff as an assistant. Most recently the Head Coach at JUCO powerhouse Northwest Florida State College, Pierre has spent over 30 years coaching some at some of college basketball's best programs.

Pierre spent eight seasons on staff at Oklahoma State (2008-16), during which the Cowboys advanced to five NCAA Tournaments (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015). While at Oklahoma State, Pierre’s recruiting efforts led to a 2008 top 10 class, a 2012 top 10 recruiting class with a McDonald’s All-American, and a 2011 top 15 class with a McDonald’s All-American.

Prior to Oklahoma State, Pierre served as associate Head Coach at LSU (1997-2008) during which the Tigers went to four NCAA Tournaments. After seeing 11 players eventually move to the NBA, Pierre served as LSU’s interim head coach in 2008 for 10 games. 

“Butch is one of the premier recruiters and coaches in college basketball.," adds Golding of Pierre. "What I appreciate about him the most is how loyal he has been to his former players and coaches that he has worked for. He has great energy about him that is contagious to everyone in our program."

Perhaps the most well-known assistant hire is former NBA point guard veteran Earl Boykins, who most recently served as the director of student-athlete development at the University of Arkansas under Eric Musselman.

At 5”5, Boykins played 16 in years in the NBA as the second-shortest player in league history. He amassed over 2,000 assists and 5,000 points in his career.

An undrafted free agent out of Eastern Michigan University, Boykins played for the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets. 

“Earl has played at the level our players aspire to be at one day.," says Golding of Boykins. "He has so much experience and I can’t wait for him to share it with our players. He understands the game of basketball and the different ways it can be played. He will be such a great asset for our program on the floor and with recruits.”

Prior to Arkansas, Boykins was an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Summer League. 

Boykins' NBA experience should translate extremely well to a Miners' backcourt that returns former 4-star recruit Jamal Bieniemy, All-Conference selection Souley Boum, and tenacious defender Christian Agnew.

Rounding out Golding's staff are Basketball Chief of Staff Bryen Spriggs, who comes with Golding from Abilene Christian, and Director of Recruiting Khristian Smith, who most recently held a graduate assistant role at Texas Tech.

Coaches are currently on campus preparing for summer workouts.