Texas Longhorns Reportedly Tap Sean Miller as Next Head Basketball Coach
The University of Texas appears to be taking a "if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em" approach in its search for a new head basketball coach. Reports indicate that Sean Miller, currently the head coach at Xavier University, is poised to take over the Longhorns program. The move comes shortly after Texas parted ways with Rodney Terry, whose tenure was cut short following the team’s disappointing First Four exit from the NCAA Tournament at the hands of, ironically, Miller’s Xavier Musketeers.
The coaching carousel began spinning rapidly in Austin after the Longhorns’ swift departure from March Madness. Texas officially announced Terry’s dismissal on Sunday, opening the door for speculation about potential replacements. The Austin American-Statesman quickly reported that Miller, a veteran coach with a storied, albeit sometimes controversial, past, was the leading candidate. Miller, known for his tenures at both Xavier and Arizona, recently concluded his third season back with the Musketeers, the program he previously led for five seasons before taking the reins at Arizona.
Rodney Terry’s time at Texas was marked by both challenges and successes. He initially stepped in as the interim head coach during the 2022-23 season following the suspension of Chris Beard, who was later fired due to a domestic violence accusation (charges were ultimately dropped in the case). Terry guided the Longhorns on an impressive Elite Eight run that season, earning him the permanent head coaching position and a five-year contract. However, the team fell short of expectations this past season, leading to the decision to move in a new direction.
Texas will be paying Terry a hefty $5.4 million buyout as part of the agreement to terminate his contract. In a statement released following his departure, Terry expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Longhorns program. "I am so appreciative to have served the University of Texas and our men’s basketball program for 13 seasons," Terry stated. "It was a dream of mine to be the head coach of the Longhorns, and I’ve been able to live that dream. I want to thank all of our coaches and current and former players who not only helped us win a lot of games but, more importantly, represented this great university in a first-class manner."
The hiring of Sean Miller signals a clear desire by the Longhorns brass to elevate the program to a higher level of competitiveness. Miller is widely regarded as a talented coach with a proven track record of success, particularly during his time at Arizona. The fact that Texas witnessed Xavier’s prowess firsthand in the NCAA Tournament, despite the Longhorns leading at halftime, likely played a significant role in their decision to pursue Miller. Xavier defeated Texas 86-80 in the First Four matchup, highlighting the Musketeers’ resilience and Miller’s coaching acumen.
Texas’s inclusion in the NCAA Tournament as one of the last teams selected raised eyebrows, given their 19-15 overall record (6-12 in the SEC). However, Xavier capitalized on their opportunity, securing the No. 11 seed. Unfortunately, their Cinderella dreams were short-lived, as they fell to No. 6 Illinois 86-73 in the first round. Despite being within five points at halftime, the Musketeers couldn’t contain the Fighting Illini’s offensive firepower.
Sean Miller’s return to Xavier followed a tumultuous period at Arizona. He spent 12 seasons with the Wildcats, from 2009 to 2021, during which he led the program to considerable success, including seven NCAA Tournament appearances. However, his tenure was marred by an FBI corruption investigation into college basketball. The investigation implicated Miller in alleged illicit payments to ensure that star center DeAndre Ayton would commit to Arizona over Kansas, coached by Bill Self. The scandal resulted in vacated wins for the Arizona program.
At the time of the investigation, NCAA rules strictly prohibited pay-to-play arrangements. The emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules has since changed the landscape of college athletics, allowing athletes to profit from their personal brands. However, Miller’s alleged actions occurred during a time when such practices were considered a major violation of NCAA regulations.
Despite the controversies surrounding his departure from Arizona, Miller remains a highly sought-after coaching talent. His return to Xavier for the 2022-23 season proved successful, as he led the Musketeers back to the NCAA Tournament after a brief hiatus. After missing the tournament last season, Xavier fought their way into the field this year with a 22-12 record, demonstrating Miller’s ability to rebuild a program and compete at a high level.
The potential hiring of Sean Miller represents a significant gamble for the University of Texas. While his coaching pedigree is undeniable, the baggage associated with his past raises questions about the program’s image and reputation. However, the Longhorns administration clearly believes that Miller’s coaching abilities outweigh the potential risks, and they are willing to embrace the controversy in pursuit of sustained success on the basketball court.
The move to the SEC is also going to be a huge change for the Longhorns. The college basketball landscape is changing and Texas seems to be making the necessary moves to keep up with the changes. How Sean Miller is able to adapt to the changes is the biggest question. The Longhorns are willing to invest in the men’s basketball team by paying Terry his buyout and taking on a new coach.
Whether Miller can replicate his past successes in Austin remains to be seen, but his arrival undoubtedly injects excitement and anticipation into the Longhorns basketball program.
