UTEP Basketball Rounds Out Coaching Staff with Hiring of Mike Roberts

After the departure of former associate head coach Jeremy Cox to Oklahoma State, UTEP men's basketball had an assistant vacancy to fill.

On Friday, head coach Joe Golding announced the official hiring of Mike Roberts as the team's newest assistant coach.

Roberts will join the Miners after multiple coaching stints in the Power 5 ranks, having recently coached at Cincinnati from 2021-23. Prior to his time with the Bearcats, he was a full-time assistant at his alma mater Indiana (2019-21), UNC Greensboro (2012-19), Rice (2008-12) and Cal (2007-08).

He's cut from the Bob Knight coaching tree, as he served as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech ('05-06).

Roberts is known for working with big men in the frontcourt. He also has a knack for implementing defensive strategies. On the administrative side, he has experience with game scheduling and supervising academics. Last but definitely not least, Roberts has a proven track record in recruiting, featuring ties across the U.S. and international recruiting ties.

As a player himself, Roberts was a member of the Hoosiers from 2000-05, including being on the 2002 NCAA Tournament runner-up team. IU was 96-67 while Roberts was a part of the program.

Here's what Golding said about Roberts in a statement today:
"I am very excited to welcome Mike Roberts to the Borderland as a member of our coaching staff. From day one here at UTEP I have committed to identifying high character men to coach and mentor our student-athletes, and we have found that in Mike," Golding said. "On the court, we are gaining a wealth of basketball knowledge that has played and coached at the highest levels of college basketball under the tutelage of more than one of the great coaches of our time. Our program will benefit from his vast amount of experience and knowledge of the game, and we could not be any more excited that he has chosen to be a part of Miner Basketball."