UTEP men’s basketball Head Coach Joe Golding officially announced his staff starting for the 2021-22 season.
Joining Golding on the bench are associate head coach Jeremy Cox, assistant coaches Butch Pierre and Earl Boykins, chief of staff Bryen Spriggs, director of recruiting and player development Khristian Smith, and director of basketball operations Caleb Villarreal.
JEREMY COX – ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Cox will serve as Golding’s no. 1 assistant on the bench. Cox comes to UTEP with 30 years of coaching experience, including nine seasons as a head coach, and an NJCAA National Championship trophy. As a head coach, Cox chalked up a 224-66 overall mark (78 percent winning percentage).
Cox has had a track record of success wherever he has gone, including stints in the Big 12, SEC, Big East and Big Ten, while coaching 16 student-athletes who have reached the NBA. He also served on the USA Basketball U21 staff as a court coach in 2005.
See full bio online.
Golding on coach Cox
“I’m very fortunate to have Jeremy as my associate head coach. 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. I have had the opportunity to compete against him the last few years and know how good his is. He can do it all but what I like about him the most is how much he cares about his players. I feel he is one of the best coaches in the country and our players will benefit the most from him being here at UTEP.”
BUTCH PIERRE – ASSISTANT COACH
Pierre brings over 30 years of experience as a head coach and assistant. Pierre has recruited some of the top classes in college basketball. He’s tutored 16 student-athletes who’ve made it to the NBA. His classes have also yielded nine conference championships, 12 NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final 4 appearance, and three NIT appearances.
See full bio online.
Golding on coach Pierre
“Butch is one of the premier recruiters and coaches in college basketball. 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. He has so much knowledge and experience and I can’t wait for him to share it with our players and program.”
EARL BOYKINS – ASSISTANT COACH
Boykins, a 16-year veteran in the NBA, comes to UTEP after serving as the director of student-athlete development at the University of Arkansas under Eric Musselman for two seasons (2019-21). The Razorbacks advanced to the 2021 Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.
Boykins has a history with Musselman as he played for him with the Golden State Warriors during the 2002-03 season, and while Musselman was an assistant coach for the Orland Magic (1999).
See full bio online.
Golding on coach Boykins
“Earl has played at the level our players aspire to be at one day. 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.”
BRYEN SPRIGGS – CHIEF OF STAFF
Spriggs brings experience to the program as a head coach and as an assistant over the last decade. He most recently served on Joe Golding‘s staff at Abilene Christian as a special assistant to the head coach during the 2020-21 season.
See full bio online.
Golding on coach Spriggs
“Bryen was the first to join me here at UTEP. HE was a big part of our success last year at Abilene Christian and I’m so excited he is here with us. He is the total package and has a very bright future in the business. He is someone that knows what I want and can handle a lot of things for me.”
KHRISTIAN SMITH – DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Smith most recently served as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech on then-head coach Chris Beard’s staff for two seasons (2019-21).
During his two seasons, the Red Raiders went 36-24 and advanced to the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Smith was responsible for reviewing game film and statistical reports for game operations. He maintained statistics records and results for each season.
See full bio online.
Golding on coach Smith
“Khristian come highly recommended from two of my closest friends in the business. I had the opportunity to get to know him when visiting Texas Tech over the years and was very impressed with him. He will do a terrific job in getting us organized in recruiting and player development. He is a rising star in our business.”
CALEB VILLARREAL – DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
Villarreal comes to UTEP with well over a decade in the coaching ranks.
Most recently, Villarreal served as an assistant coach with the men’s program at Prairie View A&M University on Bryon Smith’s staff during the 2020-21 season. Villarreal assisted with recruiting, coordination of game scheduling and game preparation with scouting reports. PV A&M won the 2021 SWAC regular-season championship.
See full bio online.
Golding on coach Villarreal
“Caleb has worked many different positions in college basketball. He will do a great job organizing our staff and program. He was worked for some of the best coaches in the business at an early age and has a ton of experience.”
