When IU fans have been thinking about “young guns” to take over the head coaching position at IU, most mention Tony Bennett from Washington State. But Xavier’s Sean Miller also presents an interesting case. Miller is only 39 years old and has only four years of coaching experience. But after the departure of Thad Matta from Xavier to Ohio State, Miller wasted little time stepping out of Matta’s shadow and making a name for himself.
This year, the Musketeers have been in the top 15 most of the season and even beat our Hoosiers, in an 80-65 dismantling at the Chicago Invitational. Miller has been a head coach for a limited time, but in his years leading up to the job opening, Miller filled his résumé with invaluable experience from some of the best coaches in the current college game.
Coaching History
Miller was born into a basketball family. His father was his high school basketball coach in Pennsylvania, and after a stellar senior season, Miller went to play ball at Pittsburgh. He was the Big East Freshman of the Year in 1988 and continued his success as a point guard throughout his next three years. He finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in assists and free throw percentage and in the top 15 in scoring.
Out of college, Miller took a position as a graduate assistant with Wisconsin in 1992. After just one year with the Badgers, Herb Sendek, the head coach at Miami (Ohio) offered Miller a position as a full-time assistant. Miller spent two years with the RedHawks, both years in which they played in the postseason. In 1995, however, Miller left Miami to return to his alma mater, Pittsburgh.
Miller spent only one year with Pittsburgh under Coach Ralph Willard. He decided to return to coaching under Sendek in 1996 when Sendek got the job at North Carolina State. Miller spent five years in Raleigh, helping Sendek lead the Wolfpack to five postseasons, including a run to the semifinals of the NIT.
In 2001, Miller decided it was time to return to the state of Ohio. He had been offered a position on Thad Matta’s staff as the associate head coach at Xavier. He accepted the job and was the first person in the school’s history to hold the title. In each of the three years Miller served under Matta, the Musketeers won 26 games and made the NCAA tournament. In 2004, the team made it to the Elite Eight, which led to Matta leaving for Ohio State. Miller took over as head coach for the 2004-2005 season and was given a six-year contract.
The success of Xavier’s program, however, has continued under Miller’s direction. The team missed the NCAA tournament in his first season with a 17-12 record, but in the two season’s following that disappointment, the Musketeers have made NCAA appearances. With a 25-4 record so far this season, Xavier appears bound to do so again this season as well.
Fit for Indiana University?
The thing that stands out when considering Miller for the IU coaching job now is that he simply doesn’t have any ties to the school or the state. While Pearl and Matta got their coaching starts in the state, Miller has no connection. But there are several things that the Hoosier program could offer the coach.
Though Xavier has made a name for itself and its basketball program in recent years, the school simply doesn’t have the history of Indiana University. IU’s five national championships and the appeal of playing in the Big Ten conference could lure Miller.
IU could also boost Miller’s status in the financial realm. Currently, after several contract extensions, Miller is signed through the 2016 season. He is making around $900,000 annually, a figure which Xavier may be able to increase a little, but one that Indiana could double.
However, while many like to point out the comparisons between Matta and Miller, Miller may be difference in the sense that he doesn’t have ties to the Midwest. Sure, he’s got a comfortable job in Ohio now, but his past may suggest a return to the east at some point.
Matta and Miller are similar in the sense that they are outstanding coaches, great recruiters and winners with clean images. Miller would be a good fit for the IU program, but the key question here is whether or not Miller would even want the job. His name may become a household one come March and it will likely be after then that Hoosier fans find out whether or not Miller and IU is a possibility.
For more on Sean Miller, check out these articles:
Player Bio: Sean Miller :: Men's Basketball
http://indiana.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=781718
SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NCAA Basketball stats, scores, standings, and blogs from NCAA Basketball columnists
Sean Miller - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scout.com: IU COACHING CANDIDATE: Sean Miller
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