USC To Respond To NCAA Findings On Thursday; UTEP Coach Tim Floyd Expected To Be Mentioned In Investigation

USC will hold a news conference Thursday to respond to the NCAA’s findings following its investigation into possible violations by the Trojans’ football and men’s basketball programs, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN’s Joe Schad.

The NCAA infractions committee held a hearing in February in which USC presented its responses to allegations of NCAA violations. Results of the report have been expected for several weeks.

Once released, USC would have a chance to appeal.

USC already admitted wrongdoing with the basketball program and sanctioned itself, including a ban on postseason participation, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08. UTEP men’s basketball coach Tim Floyd was coach of USC at the time of the incident.

Floyd left USC amid allegations of recruiting violations involving standout O.J. Mayo, now with Memphis in the NBA. The NCAA is investigating, among other things, whether Floyd gave $1,000 to a man who helped steer Mayo to USC.

UTEP athletic director Bob Stull has said in published reports that he believes what Floyd is accused of is “unlikely” true.

The school’s football team is under investigation for its dealing with Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush, who played at the school from 2003-2005. Bush also won the 2005 Heisman; if he is found retroactively ineligible, the Heisman Trust could strip him of his 2005 Heisman Trophy, according to the report.

The NCAA and investigators from the Pac-10 Conference have tried to determine whether Bush and his parents took improper benefits, including an alleged rent-free residence provided by a sports marketer. Bush has not met with NCAA and Pac-10 investigators and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

USC chose to contest the allegation against the football program, hoping to overcome the perception of a lack of institutional control, which could result in significant sanctions, including scholarship reductions, TV and postseason bans, recruiting restrictions and probation.

If USC is found guilty of major violations, the NCAA also could rule that the Trojans are “repeat violators.” Per NCAA rules, “An institution shall be considered a ‘repeat’ violator if the Committee on Infractions finds that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty.”

The athletic program was last sanctioned in August of 2001.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.