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Sean Miller is at Texas for the long haul 

by:keenanwomack•03/26/25
Sean Miller
Sean Miller and Bevo (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

There are programs in college basketball that are considered “destination” jobs. There are the obvious bluebloods, like North Carolina, Duke, and Kentucky, while other schools like UConn and Florida have become giants in the sport as well. In referring to coaching at Texas as his “final journey” during the press conference Tuesday, it seems that Sean Miller considers coaching at Texas one of the elite jobs in the sport, and one worthy of working an entire career to achieve. 

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“I look at this as my final opportunity,” Miller said. “I’ve been blessed to be at two amazing places at the University of Arizona and Xavier. Xavier is a little unique because it came at two different times and two different conferences. This right here, I think after 20 years of being at those two places, this becomes I think the final piece to my puzzle. That’s how I look at it. The final run, and hopefully it’ll be the best one.”

Expectations and Standards at Texas

Of course, staying for a long career at the University of Texas as a coach is arduous enough when taking into account financial pressures and media scrutiny. When you add in the success of the other programs across the Texas athletic department, it’s obvious that a certain standard must be met in order to retain the job. 

Miller is aware of these expectations, and embraces them, which he made clear.

“I know certainly from my perspective, [I’m] hungry to get [to the Final Four],” Miller said. “I’ll also tell you I know this place is hungry to get back there and compete for and win a national championship.” 

For a school that has not reached a Final Four since 2003, these are ambitious goals, but goals that Chris Del Conte full anticipates Miller will meet.

“At the end of the day, this is a life-changing opportunity for me and my family, and I believe that it gives us the best opportunity to compete,” Miller said.

Fanbase Interaction

Part of winning at the collegiate level is granular, and occasionally requires focus on smaller aspects. Fan engagement is one of the major differences between the responsibilities of an NBA head coach and a college head coach. Former coaches at Texas understood this, and employed different methods of getting the student section and fanbase in general on board. It’s so important that Miller mentioned “The Corral,” the Texas basketball student section, in his introductory press conference, saying he’s looking forward to a “great relationship” with the group. 

Building a Staff

In building his staff, he referred to his group at Xavier, implying some of them will follow him to Austin.

“[I’m] obviously trying to put the best staff that I possibly can put together,” Miller said. “I had a great group of people at Xavier, [a number of which] will come with me.”

Continuity of staff is an underrated aspect of collegiate basketball, and the more familiar faces Miller can bring around the program, the better for maintaining culture. 

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Retaining Players

Lastly, when asked about which players he will retain from Texas, he mentioned that he has had a chance to talk to some of these players so far. He was seen speaking with off-guard Chendall Weaver after the press conference, a player that has a decision to make on whether to stay or to transfer.

Obviously, he would be a very important piece of next year’s team. Miller would not comment directly on whether or not he would be bringing players from Xavier.

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