According to multiple reports, including one from KTSM 9, UTEP will hire Abilene Christian’s Joe Golding as their new head men’s basketball coach. KTSM 9 reports that “UTEP and ACU are negotiating Golding’s $250,000 buyout, which is preventing the news from becoming official.”

Golding reportedly beat out Baylor associate head coach Jerome Tang, New Mexico head coach Chris Jans, Arkansas associate head coach David Patrick, and Nebraska special assistant Doc Sadler for the job. Earlier in the week, Golding came in at 5/1 to get the job according to HoopDirt.com’s UTEP search odds.

Golding is a Texas native who has led ACU to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The veteran coach captured the 2019 Southland Conference Coach of the Year award, and has compiled a 158-144 (.523) in 10 seaons at ACU.

More on this one when it becomes official.