Arizona Parts Ways With Sean Miller

TUCSON, AZ — The University of Arizona has parted ways with longtime men's basketball head coach Sean Miller, according to multiple media reports.

Miller, who posted a 302-109 record in 12 seasons in Tucson, had one year left on his contract.

The Wildcats reached three Elite Eights under Miller, but were also named in the FBI's probe into a pay-for-play scheme involving high school basketball players.

Arizona Vice President for Athletics Dave Heeke told members of the media on Wednesday that the decision to part ways with Miller was his, and that it stemmed from Miller not reaching the level of success that the program expected in recent years.

" Following the season, I made the recommendation to [University of Arizona President Robert Robbins] that a change was needed to achieve our objectives as a program," Heeke said in his press conference. "And he agreed, and that will shine this morning in person to inform him of my decision. Following that, and that with the coaching staff, and our student athletes, you know, I want to thank Sean and his family sincerely, for their 12 years of service to this program. As the leader of our men's basketball program, I can't thank him enough for that."

Heeke said the university will pay out half of Miller's 2021 salary, which amounts to roughly $1.25 million, and that the decision to part ways with Miller was not for cause.

Heeke said the university's decision to move on from Miller after 12 seasons stemmed from a variety of factors, but that the main reason was the program's inability to reach the heights it hit mid-decade, when the Wildcats won five Pac-12 Conference regular season title in seven years.

"When you step back and evaluate where the program is, we have incredibly high standards to be a program that has success at all levels on and off the court," Heeke said. "And when we evaluated it, at this point in time, we feel like it's the appropriate time to make a change so that we can again, restore, begin to rebuild the overall high caliber status of this incredible world class basketball program."

Miller and the Wildcats forfeited a spot in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in response to the NCAA's investigation into the program.

The veteran head coach went 17-9 in his final season in Tucson in 2020-21.

Heeke said the next head coach in Tucson doesn't necessarily need to have head coaching experience, but that they need to be able to live up to the standards set by the likes of Olson and Miller.

"I think we're looking at everyone that can bring something to the table," Heeke said. "I think there are outstanding head coaches that are sitting head coaches that have had head coaching experience. At the same time. I think they're outstanding assistants who have been parts of programs that are excellent, that bring a lot to the table.

"And whether that's a head coach or an assistant, we'll get the right person."