With the Ohio State coaching position opening, Sean Miller’s name is surfacing. UA President Robert Robbins says it’s not happening, ‘Over his dead body’.
Always challenging when you have one of the best coaches in college basketball, as their name will pop up from time-to-time about other coaching positions. Newly hired UA President Robert Robbins doesn’t want Sean Miller to go anywhere. We’re sure Dave Heeke, the UA Athletic Director would agree, but this was the universities President who came out publically to let the world know!
Without a doubt, Miller is one of the best young coaches in college basketball, and his resume proves it. Disregard his lack of a final four appearance just yet, the guy is a great coach.
More from Wildcats Basketball
- Arizona Basketball likely to schedule Florida Atlantic for 2023
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s FIBA World Cup performance is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s
- Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
- Arizona Basketball to play in ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’ in 2024
- Reflections on the Pac-12, the Arizona Wildcats, and other memories
Entering his 14th season in the NCAA (soon to be ninth in Arizona), he’s a remarkable 340-113 (.751), with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances (four elite eights and seven sweet sixteens), and seven conference championships.
He’s had a number of players go pro under his tenure, and his accolades seemingly grow by the day.
With the Ohio State coaching job now open, many seem to be tossing Miller’s name around as a potential replacement. But why Columbus of all places?
Well, Miller if you may recall, coached at Xavier before coming to Arizona. Xavier, of course, is located in Cincinnati, OH, is just 107 miles from Columbus. In addition to that, the Buckeye’s head coach Thad Matta was Miller’s predecessor at Xavier.
If that’s not enough, the Ohio State University has a large payroll. They pay their coaches quite well, and they could feasibly offer Miller a substantial amount of money.
However, here’s why it won’t happen:
Tradition- Arizona has historically been the better basketball program and based on national perception, OSU is more of a football school than a basketball one, and vice versa for Arizona.
Plus, Arizona is without question one of the best programs in the country.
Comfortability- Sean is entering his ninth season with the Wildcats, and once again has a strong roster that could potentially rank the team number one, just ahead of the 2017-18 season.
Why leave all that for a bit of a rebuilding project in Ohio?
Money- While OSU has the deeper pockets, it’s not like Miller is working for nickels and dimes. He gets paid quite handsomely (deservedly so).
If those reasons aren’t enough, just take UA President Robert Robbins word for it, ‘over his dead body!’
Robbins seems to understand the importance of athletics, and the positive impact a strong athletic program can have at the University. Plus, I’m sure he doesn’t mind have one of the best coaches in college basketball on his campus.
Must Read: More on Arizona Basketball
At Zona Zealots, we stand by what Dr. Robbins said! We all love Sean Miller and are glad he is here, and hope he stays for a long time! Bear Down, Arizona!