Report: Major name emerges in South Carolina job search

The South Carolina Gamecocks are still in pursuit of a new head basketball coach after the university decided to part ways with Frank Martin, and a new, intriguing name has emerged in the search, per Seth Davis of The Athletic: former Arizona head coach Sean Miller.

Miller has a decorated resume on the court, but he was fired by Arizona at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, as the university cited both on- and off-the-court issues. Miller coached at Arizona for 12 years, amassing a 302-109 overall record and ranking as high as No. 1 in the AP Top 25 Poll (2013-14 season). He helped the Wildcats capture five Pac-12 regular-season titles, while winning three Pac-12 Conference Tournament titles. Miller was named the Pac-12 (or Pac-10) Coach of the Year three times: 2010-11, 2013-14 and 2016-17. Moreover, he helped produce three Consensus All-Americans at Arizona in Deandre Ayton, Nick Johnson and Derrick Williams.

Miller, 53, was investigated for off-the-court recruiting violations while at Arizona, notably one that alleged he offered to illegally pay athletes to attend Arizona — notably, future No. 1 NBA Draft pick Deandre Ayton. Miller denied the allegations brought against him.

Prior to his arrival at Arizona, Miller coached five seasons at Xavier, amassing a 120-47 overall record coaching in the A-10. He’s also coached as an assistant at Xavier, NC State, Pittsburgh, Miami (OH) and Wisconsin.

South Carolina parts ways with Frank Martin

Another surprising coaching-related move has come out of the SEC. On Monday afternoon, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that the South Carolina Gamecocks have parted ways with head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin. The university confirmed the decision shortly thereafter.

South Carolina finished this season 18-13 overall and 9-9 against SEC opponents. The Gamecocks dropped their first game in the SEC Tournament, losing 73-51 to Mississippi State on Thursday.

Martin first came to South Carolina in the 2012-2013 season. He has amassed a 288-201 record as a head coach. With the Gamecocks, he had a 171-147 career record, making one NCAA Tournament appearance. That NCAA Tournament appearance was a pretty memorable one, as the Gamecocks made it all the way to the Final Four. Martin was named the Coach of the Year by Collegeinsider.com that season. South Carolina also made the NIT in the 2015-2016 season under Martin.

Shortly following the Martin decision breaking, South Carolina put out a release with comments from Director of Athletics Ray Tanner. Tanner said that a search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

“After a thorough evaluation of our men’s basketball program, we have decided to make a change,” said Tanner. “We are grateful for the dedication that Coach Martin has made to Gamecock Basketball. We wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future.