Sports360AZ
It’s an end of an era in Tucson.
According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, Sean Miller and the University of Arizona have parted ways with one year remaining on his contract.
Goodman reports Miller will be paid $1.5 million of the remaining $2.5 million on his deal.
Sean Miller met with both Arizona president Dr. Robert Robbins and AD Dave Heeke last night for more than an hour with no conclusion, source told @stadium. Then met again this morning and decided to part ways with Miller, who is owed about $1.5 million.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 7, 2021
“After taking the many factors involved into account, we simply believe that we need a fresh start and now is the time,” Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement.
Miller’s contract had not been extended since the program following a FBI probe into college basketball recruiting. In March, Arizona released a notice of allegations from the NCAA, which held five Level I violations, including one against Miller. The program opted for a self-imposed postseason ban for the 2020-21 season.
Assistant coach Book Richardson was charged federal bribery charges in 2019. Mark Phelps, another assistant on staff, was suspended and had his contract expire over allegedly doctoring a recruit’s transcripts.
In 12 years with the Wildcats, Miller held a 302-109 record and the program went to three Elite Eights in that time.
Deandre Ayton, Lauri Markkanen, T.J. McConnell, Stanley Johnson, Solomon Hill, Aaron Gordon, Allonzo Trier, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji and Nico Manion are current NBA players that played under Miller in Tucson.
Goodman referenced a few possible replacements with Arizona ties in Pacific head coach Damon Stoudamire, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Miles Simon and Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner. Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd and BYU head coach. Mark Pope have been mentioned as other options as a replacement.
