Oklahoma University’s assistant men’s basketballcoach Jimmy Tubbs will be named the new Mustang head basketballcoach at a press conference in Moody Coliseum today at 10:30a.m.

Tubbs, 55, was an assistant basketball coach at SMU for 12 yearsuntil May 2002 when he left for OU.

During his tenure at SMU, Tubbs played a key role in theMustang’s renewed focus on metroplex-area recruiting.

“He’s a real player’s coach,” pointguard Justin Isham said.

He enlisted SMU career point leaders Jeryl Sasser and WillieDavis, as well as current players such as point guard Bryan Hopkinsand forward Patrick Simpson.

Players who worked with Tubbs previously said they look forwardto working with him again.

“He doesn’t seem like a coach the way he talks toyou,” Simpson said. “I missed him when heleft.”

Tubbs will become the 15th head coach in SMU history.

“I figured he would come back if he was offered the jobbecause of his Dallas ties,” Isham said.

SMU Athletic director Jim Copeland was unavailable for commentas of press time. He and the hiring committee chose Tubbs overKansas assistant coach Norm Roberts, who was the other finalist forthe position.