Arizona parts ways with Sean Miller after 12 seasons

With some doubt surfacing about his future, the University of Arizona and Sean Miller have parted ways.

The University of Arizona men’s basketball program is getting a fresh start. According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, the school and head coach Sean Miller have decided to part ways after 12 seasons.

Arizona surfaced prominently in the NCAA’s investigation into improprieties in college basketball a few years ago. Miller was not implicated as heavily as his former assistant coaches, only ultimately “charged” with failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance and alleged Level 1 violation revealed when the school finally released its notice of allegations.

With one year left on his contract, speculation about his future was easy. Arizona seems to be getting away pretty cheaply.

The Wildcats self-imposed a postseason ban for this past season, as they finished 17-9 and fifth place in the Pac-12. Their last NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2018.

What does the future hold for Sean Miller?

In 12 seasons at Arizona, Miller will finish with a 302-109 record, five regular season Pac-12 titles and three conference tournament titles. Over 17 seasons as a head coach, counting his time at Xavier, he has a .730 winning percentage (422-156 record).

Miller stands as one of the most accomplished college basketball coaches to never reach a Final Four, if not the most accomplished to never reach the Final Four. The Wildcats also haven’t reached the Elite Eight since 2015, and their record in the Pac-12 is just 29-27 over the last three seasons.

Miller seemed to know what was coming in regard to his future at Arizona….two years ago as legal implications of the scandal closed in on him with a subpoena to testify against a former assistant. Now the split has happened, regardless of how it’s being labeled.

If Miller wants to coach next season, there doesn’t seem to be a clear opportunity for him to be a head coach as the carousel has moved and notable jobs have been filled. It’s hard to see him landing anywhere as an assistant, with the shadow he would cast in most situations based on his resume. But looking to a year from now or so, Miller will be a top candidate for virtually any major job opening.