Nearly one year after being fired by Arizona, Sean Miller has been hired by Xavier for his second tour of duty as coach of the Musketeers.
Miller went 120-47 in five seasons at Xavier from 2004-09 and reached the NCAA Tournament four times. The Musketeers were a school-best 30-7 when reaching the Elite Eight in the 2007-08 season.
Miller, 53, replaces Travis Steele, who was 70-50 in four seasons, including 19-13 this season before being dismissed Wednesday.
“Amy and I are humbled to be returning to Xavier,” Miller said in a news release. “Xavier and the Big East Conference both hold special places in my heart. I enjoyed my experience competing at the highest level in the Big East as a player (at Pitt) and have always dreamed of being a head coach in the best basketball league in the country.
“Xavier has always done things the right way. This is an incredible opportunity for us to build on Xavier’s successful tradition and take the program to new heights. I will have more to say at my introductory press conference about what I’ve been through the last few years to get to this point and my plan going forward.”
Miller was let go by Arizona due to the school being charged with five Level I violations in March 2021. The situation erupted in September 2017 when the FBI arrested then-Arizona assistant Emanuel “Book” Richardson while conducting an investigation into corruption in college basketball.
Allegations included Miller paying former Arizona star Deandre Ayton $10,000 per month. Miller denied the charges.
Arizona was ineligible for the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments in Miller’s 12th and final season in 2020-21 due to the school’s self-imposed postseason ban.
Miller went 302-109 with the Wildcats, leading the team to seven NCAA appearances and three trips to the Elite Eight (2011, 2014 and 2015).
Overall, Miller has a 422-156 record in 17 seasons. Before being promoted to Xavier’s coach in 2004, Miller was an assistant for three years under Thad Matta, who departed for Ohio State.
The school apparently is convinced the issues Miller had at Arizona won’t repeat themselves at the school in Cincinnati.
“Xavier is thrilled to welcome Sean Miller and his family back to Victory Parkway,” athletic director Greg Christopher said in the news release. “Sean is an elite college basketball coach and a proven winner who understands the expectations, traditions and values of Xavier and the Big East Conference. He will bring a high level of energy and excitement to our program, and he will do it the right way.”
Steele, 40, was fired one day after Xavier notched a 72-68 win over Cleveland State in the NIT. The Musketeers host Florida on Sunday. Jonas Hayes is serving as interim coach.
–Field Level Media
