UTEP Assistant Named in NCAA Admissions Scheme, Resigns From UTEP

Updated with Jim Senter's statement at 6:42 p.m. MT

The University of San Diego identified UTEP men's assistant basketball coach Lamont Smith as participating in a massive college admissions scheme.

In a statement sent by Athletic Director Jim Senter, Smtih resigned from the program effective immediately.

“Earlier this afternoon, we were notified by the University of San Diego administration that Lamont Smith has been implicated in the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.  We have accepted Mr. Smith’s resignation, effective immediately, as assistant basketball coach at UTEP.  The UTEP administration and athletic department will have no further comment on this matter.”

-Athletic Director Jim Senter

Smith was the head coach for San Diego from 2015-18, where he was a former player in the late '90s. He resigned from the program after being charged with domestic violence, which was dropped.

Rodney Terry named Smith an assistant coach for UTEP following his departure at San Diego.

"Since the U.S. Department of Justice announced their investigation last week, the University of San Diego been subject to a confidentiality order that restricted our ability to identify the former coach referred to by the government," the University of San Diego said in a statement. "Earlier today, the government informed us that the order has been modified and USD can now disclose the identity of the coach involved as former men's head basketball coach Lamont Smith, who left USD in March 2018."

In part of the admissions scheme, Smith is not connected with the 50 people indicted by the DOJ in connection to the college admissions bribery scandal.  

This is a tough situation for the UTEP basketball staff. Terry expressed how much he valued Smith throughout the 2018-19 season and brought in an extensive resume and history of coaching to UTEP.

We will update this with more information as it is provided.