Sean Miller Didn't Gel With Maryland, Arizona Wildcats Rejoice
Despite near-constant speculation that Sean Miller would leave the University of Arizona for Maryland, it turns out he will be signing a contract extension to remain with the Wildcats.
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Late Saturday night, Arizona said Miller was signing a contract extension to remain with the school. The announcement set off rampant speculation in the media and on fan sites about what may have occurred between Maryland and the coach in the Las Vegas hotel room.
Anderson said in an interview Wednesday that were "chemistry issues." A source close to Miller agreed, characterizing the two as "oil and water."
If you ever have in your own career, maybe to have the opportunity that at least causes you to pause and consider, I think all of us would say at one point or another, yes, and that's what this weekend was for me. It was an opportunity that I really felt in the best interests of our own family and myself to at least pause and consider.
At the end of the day, it makes sense that Miller would consider Maryland. It is one of the premier basketball schools in the country, and the ACC is a basketball conference first and foremost.
But as Miller realized, he has it very good at the University of Arizona. Not only does the fanbase love him, but the tradition of success established in Wildcats basketball will allow him to recruit premier basketball players every season.
If Miller and Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson had hit it off last Saturday, we'd likely be writing a different article today. Luckily for UA fans, Miller stayed in Tucson.
Well, rumors had been going around all weekend so far that Arizona Wildcats mens basketball coach Sean Miller would be leaving the team to accept the now-vacant head coaching position for the Maryland Terrapins. But it looks like all that's changed.
It is now official that instead of leaving, Miller has signed a contract extension to stay at the University of Arizona, though contract details and length have not yet been released.
Miller had this to say:
"In the last two years, we have done many things to strengthen the program from an improved locker room and practice facility, to our recruiting efforts. We will continue to work towards getting better in all areas as we move forward.
"Over the last two days, the amount of inaccuracies that surrounded this entire process has been very disappointing. Hopefully, this will put an end to such speculation. Believe me when I tell you, our administration has done everything to keep me here and ensure that this will be among the elite programs in the nation."
So rest easy, Wildcat fans and alumni. The coach that led the team to the Elite Eight, a 30-8 record, a regular season Pac-10 title, and a top recruiting class for 2012 will remain around for an as-yet-undisclosed amount of time. Although the Wildcats lost top player Derrick Williams to the NBA Draft (where he's likely to be the first overall pick), most of the core is returning and the Pac-12's lucrative new television contract is sure to help things.
Was it all a plot to get a new contract from the U of A, or was there genuine interest in Maryland on Miller's behalf? Perhaps it was all misreported, as Miller suggested? Either way, it all worked out well for Arizona. Not as much for Maryland, who is speculated to be targeting Butler's Brad Stevens next.
The Sean Miller saga hopefully won't drag on as long as the situation with the Phoenix Coyotes. How could it? Amidst reports that the earlier report was premature and that Seam Miller hadn't even met yet with officials from Maryland, we get word from the University of Arizona.
Athletic Director Greg Byrne acknowledged via his Twitter account that the fight to get Miller in Tucson was indeed on.
Wildcat Faithful, please know that we have been & continue to work to keep Sean Miller as our coach.....
During our ongoing conversations Sean is very aware & has been very aware, that we want him to be our coach.....
We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that happens....
I hope you have seen our department make a real effort to be transparent & honest. As we are able, we will continue to communicate.
There are some rumors that Miller is using the situation as leverage to get more pay for his coaching staff. That kind of makes sense, because why else would he leave Tucson for Maryland unless they overwhelm him with money. The Wildcat basketball program has one of the richest traditions in college sports and with Miller taking the team to the Elite Eight in this year's NCAA Tournament he's well on his way towards making his own mark.
Recruiting top-notch kids to the University of Arizona has never been an issue and with Miller's youth and success he could easily continue the proud Wildcat history. One thing we now know for sure, the Wildcat's aren't letting him go without a fight.
Sean Miller took over at Arizona in 2099 and lead the Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance and now it seems he's leaving for Maryland to take over for legendary Terrapins coach, Gary Williams. ESPN Radio 980 out of Washington, DC is reporting that Miller will be announced on Monday as the new Maryland coach.
Maryland had been rumored to be coming hard for the talented young Arizona coach for the past several days. Miller was reported to be meeting with the Maryland AD in Las Vegas this weekend. It would appear that meeting went well and Miller will be leaving the Wildcats.
The loss of Sean Miller would be a huge blow to University of Arizona basketball program. Miller took over a program that was in disarray after the retirement of Lute Olson. Miller himself was a replacement for Tim Floyd who originally was tapped to take over the Wildcat program but was disqualified due to run-ins with the NCAA.
Floyd is rumored to have recruited Derrick Williams and got the young star to commit to USC before the Floyd left California. Miller was able to swoop in and land the star that gave his career such a quick boost.
There is at least one positive if this news proves true, Herb Sendek's job at Arizona State just got easier.