One of the more baffling side-stories in the “Pitt Coaching Search 2018 — Men’s Basketball Edition,” was the purported interest from Sean Miller. The former Pitt great, local kid and present Arizona basketball coach.
Two years ago, Sean Miller openly rejected all overtures from Pitt. And there was little reason to think that anything had changed. Well, aside from the whole FBI investigation that led to the indictment of his long-time friend and assistant coach at Arizona and Xavier.
So, many questions as why Miller would suddenly be interested in Pitt. Especially now, when Pitt basketball was arguably in a worse spot then two years ago.
It wasn’t like Arizona was going to fire him. Both sides seemed stuck with each other while this investigation plays out. Miller leaving Arizona would appear to many, many people (raises hand) to be a play to get out of town before the investigation catches up to him.
What other reason could it be? Unless, Arizona was fixing to reduce their exposure and take steps to reduce Miller’s compensation.
Oh.
Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller will lose $1 million of his $4.1 million longevity fund if he is criminally charged or found guilty of a Level 1 NCAA violation, according to contract language subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents this week.
The regents will also consider adding a provision detailing Miller’s obligations as a “responsible employee” under Title IX, which includes reporting requirements, cooperation with Title IX investigations and participation in Title IX trainings. In 2016, Arizona issued a finding of sexual misconduct by former Arizona player Elliott Pitts after a Title IX investigation.
Miller would lose all of his longevity fund shares if he is fired for cause. The new provision means he can also be penalized financially if he remains on the job and if he is criminally charged or found guilty of a Level 1 NCAA violation.
A Level 1 violation involves what the NCAA calls a “severe breach of contract” and is the most serious of four levels of violations. Examples of Level 1 violations include lack of institutional control, academic fraud, failure to cooperate in an NCAA enforcement investigation, and unethical or dishonest conduct.
…
Miller earned an estimated total of $2.795 million in 2017-18, not counting the vesting credit toward the additional longevity fund shares. He is under contract through 2021-22.
The UA is paying Miller a base salary of $1.5 million plus $700,000 for peripheral duties such as his radio show and at least $120,000 in performance bonuses. Nike and IMG each pay Miller about $200,000 annually.
I’m not sure how the contract gets amended without Miller agreeing. The article doesn’t indicate if additional years are added — which is entirely possible. It is clear, though, that despite Arizona standing behind Miller, they are going to install a trapdoor. You know, just in case.
BUT… if he had left Arizona for Pitt, the longevity fund shares would still be his in a couple of years. They are already vested, he just has to wait to collect. All without any risk to them no matter what happens with the FBI and NCAA.
The part about being “criminally charged” is potentially the big thing. Not convicted. Just charged. Miller has claimed complete ignorance of Book Richardson’s actions. Vehemently denied a report he was recorded on an FBI wire tap authorizing payments to Deandre Ayton. Still, it seems that Arizona wants their own insurance there isn’t anything else in the FBI wiretaps or that Book Richardson could use to plead down to a lesser charge.
The Title IX clause is also interesting as it would compel his compliance in any investigations by the university. Also the reporting requirements being codified into his contract could come in handy. Another way for Arizona to potentially penalize or fire Miller for cause. Not to mention, something that has become sadly necessary in the wake of many, many stories of coaches not doing the right thing.
Sean Miller is hardly a dead man walking with the Wildcats. At the same time, he can hardly feel very secure.
Miller wasn’t looking to return to Pitt out of loyalty or any desire to help his alma mater. It was — as it usually is — all about the money. Collect a comparative paycheck. Keep his vested stock. And reboot at a place that would embrace him once more, with (temporarily) lowered expectations.
From a detatched perspective, it makes perfect sense. I can’t even fault the reasoning. He may have even gotten Pitt significantly better. The risks, though, were always too great.
I wouldn’t have had a problem with Pitt going after Miller – they needed a good coach. Period. The ugliness would have eventually sorted itself out and he would have been a good pick to turn things around from a coaching ability perspective, but I’m perfectly happy how things worked out for Pitt at this point. We got the coach we needed without the added circus. There’s upside to that. Would Miller have turned things around faster? Maybe, maybe not. I tend to doubt it. Is he a better recruiter than Capel? They’re probably close – Capel might be better in some ways. Is he a better game day coach? That’s hard to quantify but there are plenty of AZ detractors pining for a Final Four or a title. Some OK fans feel the same about Capel. About the only thing i would have given Miller higher marks for would be name brand recognition in Pittsburgh, and the potential to stay longer. Capel may yet become a household name around here, but the consensus is that ultimately, his coaching desires lie elsewhere. So be it – he doesn’t need to be the “forever coach”. Pitt may never have a “forever coach”. As long as the program prospers, it should be relatively easy to find the next man up, as it were – depending of course on who’s in charge at the AD’s office. The fact that this board isn’t littered with posts lamenting the choice tells me all I need to know for now.
Parker Stewart decided transfer..
Signed,
The Stache & Ghost of Jamie Dixon
I don’t think he was going to land another ACC job anytime soon. I’m sure Pitt is paying him well – he gets to stay in a conference he knows well. He seems to like Pittsburgh (and that’s a big one because it’s not for everybody).
He’s not “too good to be true” because he’s not a miracle hire. He was a very good hire given the circumstances. If he wants to take over the helm at Duke someday, he needs more “big school” D1 experience and being in the ACC is even better. He may have wanted to stay out of the spotlight for longer than some thought – maybe that’s why he turned down other offers. Perhaps he’s telling the truth when he said he really bonded with Lyke.
These aren’t definitive answers, but they are things that have been talked about in numerous circles. Sometimes it’s just a timing thing. I don’t know, but unless a SWAT team shows up at his house a 8 months from now, I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
And another thing, I think Capel was a great hire, and almost every conceivable publication has agreed with that, but that doesn’t mean he will do a great job at Pitt, those are 2 different things. I think he will do a great job for us, but time will tell. If at the very least, he does an excellent job of recruiting, then he will have re-established the program to another level in a few years, for right now I’ll just enjoy it.
H2P
We have to have the roster filled out in just 4 months….time’s a wastin.
If you’re watching The Masters this weekend, then you should know that it’s a 4 day affair. You can’t win it on the 1st day. There are some holes you can go.for it, and some where par is a great score. And everybody has a few setbacks. Enjoy the process!! (Or you’ll likely go nuts!)
Some fans on here will be attacking this poor bastard in the middle of next season and demanding a new coach in the 2nd season.
I just hope he has enough talent to put a team together next season.
It will take 3 or 4 seasons just to be competitive again.
His twitter page show a photo of him next to a column with “VIRGINIA” engraved on it. Maybe UVA?
SOS22:
Nice to see you posting again.
Two top 100 played and Pitt is in the Sweet 16. Two top 50 players and Pitt is potentially competing for a Final 4.
It just depends if, and how fast, Capel can get those top 50 players to Pitt. Capel’s history says it’s coming, however, so I’m not too worried.
Spirit: Yeah, my head has a permanent bevel on it as well 🙂
As for how UA could get the new requirements into his contract without Coach Miller’s agreement……….. the brute-force method would be UA saying ” Agree, or we release you ”
As for me…… I’m satisfied with Pitt’s hire of Coach Capel as they seem to have been thorough in their investigation and also out-waiting the various meatheads that demanded a quick hire.