Arizona Basketball: Sean Miller needs to be fired today
Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller reportedly discussed giving a massive payment to star freshman DeAndre Ayton.
Sean Miller is done. At least he should be.
When the FBI investigations of college basketball became public five months ago, one of the key figures implicated was Arizona Wildcats assistant coach Emmanuel “Book” Richardson, a loyal lieutenant of Miller from their Xavier days. News of Richardson’s alleged benefits arrangements led to a suspension for the assistant.
It did not immediately lead to his dismissal, however; Richardson remained on the payroll until January 11, when the appeals process finished running its course.
There’s no time to delay when it comes to Miller, though. Not after what ESPN reported on Friday night.
Senior writer Mark Schlabach reported that “FBI wiretaps intercepted telephone conversations between Arizona coach Sean Miller and Christian Dawkins, a key figure in the FBI’s investigation into college basketball corruption, in which Miller discussed paying $100,000 to ensure star freshman DeAndre Ayton signed with the Wildcats.”
That’s not skirting NCAA rules. That’s violating NCAA rules and then laughing in the faces of everyone who dared to ask Miller if he was on the up-and-up.
Some believe NCAA basketball players should be paid, an argument that will continue to gain traction. There’s a big difference between paying players an equitable salary and buying them from other potential programs, though.
Back when the recruiting race was heating up for Ayton, 247 Sports made their patented predictions about where he would end up. Thirteen of their experts picked him to land with Kansas – the other two had him going to Kentucky.
Young kids can be subject to whims, but only the whim of a massive payday could move the needle that far. Miller is going to have a difficult time explaining this one away.
Perhaps he shouldn’t even get the chance. He’s officially a liability.
Rick Pitino survived a personal scandal at Louisville, as well as an insane sex-for-pay scandal. An alleged conspiracy to pay for Brian Bowen’s services this year, however, resulted in his ouster.
That payment was for $100,000.
If Dave Heeke wants to remain the AD at Arizona – a role he’s been in for less than a year – he’ll show Sean Miller the door before he can coach another game in Tucson.