Arizona won't let Sean Miller go to Ohio State

Arizona won’t let Sean Miller go to Ohio State

Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller watches his team play against the Xavier Musketeers during the first period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Xavier Musketeers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Some big names have been attached to replacing Thad Matta at Ohio State, but Arizona coach Sean Miller can probably be removed from that list.

After a Monday press conference that came off as an odd mix of a firing and a resignation, Thad Matta is out as Ohio State men’s basketball coach. Some noteworthy names may be on the radar in Columbus, including former Indiana coach Tom Crean. Arizona coach Sean Miller is a notable part of Matta’s coaching tree, as an assistant at Xavier from 2001-2004 who then become head coach there when Matta left for Ohio State.

Miller has been at the University of Arizona since 2009, with a .769 winning percentage (220-66 record), six NCAA Tournament appearances and three Elite Eights in eight seasons. With a talented team in place for this year, it would take a unique opportunity to steer Miller away from Tucson.

Dr. Robert Robbins officially took over as president at Arizona just last week. The Arizona Republic asked him about the Ohio State speculation surrounding Miller, and the initial answer was definitive.

"“The Ohio State University is great university, but they are not going to get Coach Miller,” university president Dr. Robert Robbins told The Arizona Republic on Tuesday. “They will have to come over me to get him, as the saying goes, over my dead body.”"

Dr. Robbins did go further, and softened a bit from “over my dead body.”

"“I just think he is a quality guy,” Robbins said of Miller. “I will do everything in my power to try to convince him to stay.”"

Miller agreed to a contract extension with Arizona through 2021-22 back in February. But as usual, that won’t mean much if Miller wants to leave and Ohio State is willing to pay what is sure to be a significant buyout.

Next: 5 possible replacements for Thad Matta at Ohio State

But the job at Pitt, Miller’s alma mater, was open a year ago when Jamie Dixon left for TCU. Kevin Stallings was ultimately hired, and it didn’t seem like Miller seriously considered a move. A tie to Matta may matter, but if Miller didn’t leave Arizona for Pitt it’s hard to see him seriously considering a move to Ohio State.