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Jeff Blake/jblake@thestate.com/The State
USC head coach Darrin Horn
GoGamecocks.com
Horn says he was in Cincy
But it was on Tuesday and it was to visit family; he again denies contact with Xavier
South Carolina men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn said Monday he was in Cincinnati last week on personal business — not speaking to Xavier about its vacant coaching job.
Horn was linked to the Xavier job last week by several media outlets, including The State. Multiple sources said Horn spoke to the Cincinnati school about its job and that he was there Thursday.
Appearing on athletics director Eric Hyman’s radio show, Horn said he was in Cincinnati on Tuesday, visiting family. He also reiterated his denial that he ever spoke to the Atlantic 10 school.
“I did not talk to Xavier University. There was never any third party involved in talks with Xavier University. I have no interest in the job. I had no interest in the job when the speculation started in any shape or form,” Horn said.
“And quite honestly, (I) was a little surprised by being a part of that speculation when it started simply because I just left a job like that to come be where I want to be, which is at a state school in the SEC, working for a terrific administration.”
Horn declined further comment after the show, saying he was done talking about the issue.
When the show opened, Hyman stood by his coach, decrying media “speculation.” He said it reminded him of last year’s coaching search, which resulted in Horn’s hiring.
Horn said he was in Cincinnati on Tuesday as part of a previously scheduled trip on spring break with his kids to visit his wife’s brother and their family.
He said his plans to stay in Cincinnati changed when Devan Downey called to tell him he was going to declare for the NBA draft. Horn said he decided to fly to Portsmouth, Va., on Wednesday for an NBA pre-draft camp. Downey was not attending, but Horn wanted to get feedback for Downey, as well as help out Zam Fredrick, a Gamecock guard whose eligibility has run out.
Chris Monter, a longtime NBA draft analyst, confirmed seeing Horn in Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Horn said he returned to Columbia on Thursday morning. Multiple sources have said Horn was not present for a team workout that afternoon, but the athletics department has disputed that any workout was planned for that day.
“I think the speculation is part of our business,” Horn said. “But I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here.”
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