Report: Sean Miller makes decision on next coaching job

The reunion is reportedly happening. Sean Miller is preparing to head back to Xavier.

Miller and Xavier are expected to agree on a deal to return to the Musketeers, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. He coached at Xavier from 2004-09 before heading to Arizona, and now could be making his way back to Cincinnati.

Earlier Saturday, Rothstein reported talks between Xavier and Miller heated up. Xavier is working to replace Travis Steele, who was let go after the season. In his first stint with the program, Miller led the Musketeers to a 120-47 record and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Miller’s name also came up in connection with the South Carolina job after the Gamecocks parted ways with Frank Martin. Instead, he’s returning to the program that gave him his first head coaching opportunity 18 years ago.

Arizona fired Miller after the 2020-21 season for on- and off-the-court issues. The Wildcats had a 302-109 record under his watch, including a 150-68 mark in Pac-12 action.

More on Sean Miller, interest from other programs

The decision a big development considering South Carolina’s push to hire Miller, who was let go as Arizona coach after the 2020-21 season. It’d be familiar territory, though. Miller coached at Xavier from 2004-09 before heading to Arizona from 2009-21. Arizona fired him for on- and off-the-court issues after the Wildcats went 17-9 overall, including 11-9 in Pac-12 action last season.

Xavier recently moved on from Travis Steele after the Musketeers missed the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. In his four years, he totaled a 70-50 overall record and a 31-37 mark in Big East play. In 2021-22, Xavier went 19-13 overall and 8-11 in conference play.

Miller has a decorated resume on the court, Arizona fired him 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 earned the Pac-12 (or Pac-10) Coach of the Year honors three times: in 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, Ayton, a future No. 1 NBA Draft pick. Miller denied the allegations brought against him.