What we’re hearing about Sean Miller and the USC men’s basketball coaching search
Steak or no steak?
That’s the question facing South Carolina athletics Friday after men’s basketball head coaching candidate Sean Miller was reportedly spotted Thursday at Halls Chophouse with USC’s administration in downtown Columbia, according to a report from Gamecock Central that they’ve since retracted.
On Friday, The Big Spur refuted that report, citing a source who said athletic director Ray Tanner, senior deputy athletic director Chance Miller and Sean Miller were not in the state of South Carolina during the alleged restaurant sighting.
A source close to the situation told The State that there’s no evidence Miller was in Columbia on Thursday night, but added that the former Arizona coach is indeed a “major player” in the university’s search for a replacement for 10-year head coach Frank Martin.
Miller isn’t the only candidate, as USC has already reportedly interviewed and continues to interview the handful of names who have been linked to program, such as Furman’s Bob Richey and former Gamecock and current Wake Forest assistant BJ McKie.
After firing Martin on Monday, the Gamecocks intend to move quickly with the hire — with whispers an announcement could be made as soon as the beginning of next week. It could, in theory, happen sooner if an agreement can be reached with a new coach.
There are multiple reasons for a speedy approach. For one, the Gamecocks aren’t alone in searching for a replacement. In the SEC alone, four other teams currently have openings, and those programs are looking at many of the same candidates.
There’s also a desire from USC’s administration to keep as much of the current men’s basketball roster intact heading into next year. Only graduate transfers James Reese and A.J. Wilson have exhausted their college eligibility. Every other player at least has the option to return, but the longer USC waits to make a hire, the more likely players enter the transfer portal, which already has more than 450 Division I players in it.
There’s reason to believe South Carolina might avoid making any official announcements while Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks host the NCAA tournament. The No. 1 USC women’s basketball team opens play Friday. They are heavy favorites against Howard and are expected to advance to round two Sunday to face either Miami or South Florida.
From a pure basketball perspective, Miller could be the most intriguing and accomplished candidate, as he holds an all-time 422-156 (.730) record with a 302-109 (.735) record in 11 seasons at Arizona. The Gamecocks have stated their desire to field a postseason-caliber team, and Miller has a strong track record in that regard. In 17 years as a head coach between Xavier and Arizona, Miller led his teams to 11 NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the Elite Eight four times and the Sweet 16 seven times.
However, the Wildcats fired Miller last April after the NCAA charged the school with five Level I violations. Arizona was hit with two alleged instances of academic misconduct, while Miller was charged for not demonstrating “that he promoted an atmosphere for compliance and monitored his staff.”
Those violations stem from a 2017 FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball. Miller’s former Arizona assistant coach Emanuel Richardson pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit bribery after being accused of accepting $20,000 to steer Arizona players to aspiring sports agent Christian Dawkins.
Miller has repeatedly denied paying players or violating NCAA rules, but those sanctions at Arizona could make him a polarizing choice wherever he lands.
This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 12:36 PM with the headline "What we’re hearing about Sean Miller and the USC men’s basketball coaching search."
