Kentucky Basketball: 20 candidates to replace John Calipari as Head Coach

Sean Miller

A candidate for the Kentucky job last time it was open, things are pretty different for Miller nowadays, though he is back to being the successful head coach at Xavier. Miller is a former point guard at Pittsburgh who’s had quite the coaching career and wouldn’t struggle to bring talent and winning culture to Kentucky.

Miller was an assistant at numerous schools before succeeding Thad Matta at Xavier way back in 2004. After a host of wins over the next five years, he took the Arizona job in 2009. Between those two schools, he’s led teams to four Elite Eight’s and eight Sweet Sixteen’s, with the most recent coming last season, his first back with the Musketeers. He’s been a winner throughout his career, even if his time in Arizona ended on a lame note.

The former head coach of a different group of Wildcats, Miller has shown his potential as a great recruiter and program developer. He’d likely success at Kentucky and wouldn’t even have to move very far. His program has looked great against a tough Big East and the transition to Lexington wouldn’t be a big issue, it’s all about if he’s the match that Kentucky seeks. Miller has come short of making a Final Four and that’s not something that these Wildcats will tolerate during his tenure.