Tim Floyd staying at Southern California

LOS ANGELES, April 2 (UPI) -- University of Southern California men's basketball Coach Tim Floyd said Thursday he will not accept an offer to become coach at Arizona.

At a news conference in Los Angeles, Floyd acknowledged he had been interviews by Arizona Wednesday, one day after urging USC players at a banquet to hold off on entering the NBA draft and stay in school, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"I listened, I heard what they had to say," Floyd said. "But there is something really special about building your own traditions and your own history."

Floyd also said he had talked with officials at Memphis about the coaching vacancy there.

"At the end of the day I have a great situation here," he said.

Arizona made a surprising run to the Sweet 16 in its first season without longtime Coach Lute Olson, who stepped down. The Wildcats were led by interim Coach Russ Pennell, who apparently was not being considered for the permanent position.

Floyd, 55, has guided the Trojans the last four seasons. His 85-50 record includes three NCAA Tournament berths and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007.

As he enters the final year of a five-year contract, the Times said he is slated to make approximately $850,000, a figure that could go up if he receives a contract extension.