In 1964, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ senior track standout Dave Murray set a school record in the 440 yards. Four years later, the 26-year-old Murray was named the school’s head cross country coach — a position he held for the next 34 years. One coach. One school. One very long and successful career.
Murray is an exception. He and UA softball coach Mike Candrea, an eight-time NCAA champion who has been at his post since 1986, became masters of longevity in an industry that often defines “short term.â€
Let’s just say the numbers speak for themselves.
Tommy Lloyd is the 57th head coach at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ during the school’s modern era of sports, including those on staff when the Wildcats joined the Pac-10 in 1978, and those when women’s sports were absorbed by the Pac-10 in 1986.
Of those, 22 were fired or asked to resign, the modern term of which is “parted ways.†That’s 39% who were judged to have failed, which is a sobering but realistic look at the instability of the coaching profession.
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A week after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fired Sean Miller, the Wildcats found their man to lead the historic men's basketball program in Tommy Lloyd, who spent the last 20 seasons as Gonzaga's top assistant. The Star's Justin Spears, Bruce Pascoe and Alec White analyze the UA's hire, Lloyd's recruiting connections and background, reactions from alumni and fans, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s roster and the program's future with Lloyd taking over.
But that number is deceiving. If you subtract the 15 active head coaches at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, it means that 22 of 41 modern era UA head coaches were essentially fired. That’s more than half.
Wishing Lloyd a long and productive head coaching career, here’s a 20-part perspective of the 56 who preceded him at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥:
1. Lloyd isn’t the first Tommy Lloyd to coach at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Former men’s tennis assistant Tom Lloyd is now the head coach at Loyola Marymount.
2. The oldest coach hired by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was Rick DeMont, 58, a 20-year staff assistant and former world-record holding swimmer. DeMont retired four years later, at age 62.
3. Other than the 26-year-old Murray, the youngest coach hired by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was Vicki Maes, 27, the most successful women’s tennis player in school history. She parted ways with her alma mater 18 years later and is the head coach at New Mexico.
4. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired two NCAA championship head coaches: Bill Murphy and Dave Rubio. Murphy, then 54, had coached Michigan’s men’s tennis team to the 1957 national title. He coached the Wildcats from 1972-80 and then retired. Rubio, then 32, was hired in 1992 after coaching Cal State Bakersfield’s women’s volleyball team to the NCAA Division II volleyball national title in 1989. He has won 537 games at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
5. One UA head coach died in office: in 1982, track coach Willie Williams committed suicide at Drachman Stadium. Williams, hired in 1969, was the first Black head coach in school history.
6. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired just five prominent athletes from the UA family: Murray, baseball All-American Jerry Stitt, women’s basketball career leading scorer Adia Barnes, golf standout Laura Ianello, and Maes.
7. The only family connection to a former UA head coach is Augie Busch. The Wildcats’ swimming coach since 2018 is the son of Hall of Famer Frank Busch, who was UA’s head coach from 1989-2011.
8. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired one local high school coach,Ted Kissell, who had coached ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ High’s boys tennis team to the 1980 state championship. Kissell, then 35, had also been the tennis coach at Amphitheater. After his UA career, 1981-85, Kissell went on to be an assistant athletic director and the AD at Dayton.
9. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired one head coach from the staff of an NFL, NBA or MLB team — football’s Jedd Fisch, who was an assistant coach for the New England Patriots.
10. In 1978, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired its water polo coach, Rick LaRose, to be its men’s golf coach. Then 32, LaRose went on to coach the 1992 UA men’s golf team and the 1996 UA women’s golf team to NCAA championships. He stayed at the UA through 2012.
11. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired one junior college coach, Candrea, then 31, who had coached Central ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ College to 1984 and 1985 NJCAA championships.
Andy Lopez won the 2012 College World Series with the Wildcats. He arrived at the UA after having been fired by Florida.
12. The Wildcats hired four who had been fired as head coaches at Division I schools: baseball’s Andy Lopez from Florida; football’s John Mackovic from Texas, Rich Rodriguez from Michigan and Kevin Sumlin from Texas A&M. Lopez won the 2012 NCAA championship at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥; Mackovic, Sumlin and Rodriguez were ultimately fired again.
13. Two UA coaches went on to win national championships at other schools: Wendy Larry and Todd McCorkle. Larry, the women’s basketball coach from 1985-87, coached Old Dominion to the 1997 NCAA title. McCorkle, the women’s golf coach from 1998-2000, coached ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to the 2000 national championship, then left for Georgia where he coached the Bulldogs to the 2001 NCAA title.
14. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired one attorney to be a head coach. Bill Wright, who was the UA’s men’s tennis coach from 1986-2005. Wright had been an attorney in California before coaching the Cal Golden Bears.
Tabitha Yim lasted just two seasons at the GymCats' coach before being hired by Stanford.
15. The shortest term served by a UA head coach was one year. That was men’s basketball coach Ben Lindsey, who was fired after a 4-24 season in 1982-83. Women’s gymnastics coach Tabitha Yim was at her UA post for two years before becoming Stanford’s head coach. Swimming coach Eric Hanson took a leave of absence and left his job at the beginning of his third season, 2013-14.
16.The most obscure alma mater of a UA head coach was Cottey College of Iowa, home of UA women’s golf coach Kim Haddow, 1983-94. Not only that, Haddow’s only organized head coaching experience had been at Wickenburg High School. Haddow proved that you didn’t have to be from a name school to be successful. She recruited Annika Sorenstam and coached the Wildcats to a No. 3 finish in the 1991 and No. 2 finish in 1992 NCAA finals.
17.Two ASU Sun Devils became ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coaches: Candrea and gymnastics coach Bill Ryden (1999-2015).
18.Three UA head coaches served at least 15 years at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ before becoming a head coach. Track coach Fred Harvey was a UA assistant coach for 15 years; Stitt was a UA baseball assistant for 18 years, and swimming’s DeMont was a staff assistant for 26 years.
19.The UA has only hired four professional athletes to be head coaches. Barnes played in the WNBA, Wright played in five U.S. Opens, Ianello played parts of three years on the LPGA Tour and baseball’s Jerry Kindall played nine major-league seasons.
20. From 1978-2021, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hired 18 sitting NCAA Division I head coaches — three from Washington State, two from Long Beach State, and others from Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Stephen F. Austin, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah State, Cal, Virginia, Iowa State, Hawaii, Iowa and Xavier.
Nine were fired, or exactly 50%.
Tommy Lloyd is 46. If he is coaching at McKale Center when he is 60, in 2035, he will indeed have beaten the odds.
Timeline: Sean Miller's career as the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats' head coach
April 6, 2009: Sean Miller leaves Xavier to accept job at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Sean Miller at introductory press conference in 2009.Ìý
The UA announces that it has hired Miller, the former coach at Xavier, after the two sides met in Albuquerque the day before.
Miller takes over the program after long-time head coach Lute Olson retired after 25 years at the helm.
2009: Miller lands impressive recruiting class
The first batch of recruits Miller hauls into ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ set the tone for his tenure at the UA.Ìý
Miller's first commit comes from Ukranian big man Kyryl Natyazhko. He was then followed by Kevin Parrom, Solomon Hill and Max Wiepking. The last two recruits of the class were former USC commits, point guard Lamont "Momo" Jones and power forward Derrick Williams.Ìý
Miller's last-minute 2009 class was ranked No. 2 the Pac-12, per .
Nov. 15, 2009: Miller wins first game at UA
In his first year as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach, Sean Miller wasted no time coaching up his squad in a season-opening win over Northern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at McKale Center on Nov. 15, 2009. Solomon Hill scored 17 points to lead the Cats, and Jamelle Horne grabbed 11 rebounds.Ìý
Junior power forward Jamelle Horne records a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while the backcourt in Kyle Fogg and Nic Wise combines for 25 points as the Wildcats top NAU 87-70 in McKale Center. The win is Miller's first at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.Ìý
March 5, 2011: Miller wins first Pac-12 title
The Wildcats defeat Oregon 90-82 to clinch the Pac-12 regular season title, the first under Miller and the UA's first since 2005.Ìý
2011: Wildcats make Elite Eight
Derrick Williams celebrates a dunk that helped keep ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ close in its 2011 Elite Eight loss to Connecticut.
After winning Pac-10 Coach of the Year, Miller leads the Wildcats back to the big dance in 2011 after the Wildcats missed the tournament for the first time in 25 years.
The Cats beat Texas in Round of 32 and take down No. 1 Duke in the Sweet 16. In the Elite Eight, the Wildcats fall short after running into National Player of the Year finalist Kemba Walker and the UConn Huskies.Ìý
2012: Cats miss tourney, play in NIT
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Josiah Turner (11) picks up a foul as he drives between two Colorado defenders in the first half at the Coors Events Center, Sat. Jan. 21, 2012, Boulder, Colo. Kelly Presnell/ARIZONA DAILY STAR
The Wildcats finish third in the Pac-12 and post a 23-12 record, capped off with a 65-54 loss to Bucknell in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.
March 15, 2013: "He touched the ball"
No. 18 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ loses to UCLA 66-64. In the game, UCLA's Jordan Adams strips a driving Mark Lyons, but Lyons maintains possession of the ball in which he tried to pass it to a Wildcat on the perimeter. The official calls Lyons for double-dribble.
Miller tells the official "he touched the ball," saying it's a bad call.
Miller is called for a technical foul and the Wildcats go on to lose in the Pac-12 Tournament. Miller shows his emotions in the postgame press conference.
Nov. 18, 2013: Miller earns 100th win
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Aaron Gordon (11) and Brandon Ashley (21) runs down the court against Fairleigh Dickinson in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. This is in the first round of the NIT.
The Wildcats score 100 points and beat Fairleigh Dickinson by 50 points, giving Miller his 100th win as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s head coach.Ìý
“It feels good,†Miller says about the career milestone. “Better to celebrate that than not be at that number. Hopefully there’s many more this year and beyond.â€Ìý
March 2, 2014: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wins the Pac-12 regular-season championship
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Sean Miller cuts down the net after his Wildcats clinched the Pac-12 regular season championship with a 79-66 win against Stanford at McKale Center, Sunday, March 2, 2014, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Photo by Kelly Presnell / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
On senior night, the Wildcats beat Stanford 79-66 to win the Pac-12 regular season championship, Miller's second title at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Miller then wins another conference coach of the year accolade.Ìý
March 29, 2014: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ loses to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Sean Miller is in disbelief over a call by a referee in the second half at the NCAA West Regionals in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Wisconsin won in overtime 64-63.
With Brandon Ashley out for the year with a broken foot, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ struggles to defend Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky in the post. Kaminsky scores 28 points and grabs 11 rebounds and the Badgers topple the Cats in overtime.Ìý
Nick Johnson has a chance to win the game on the final possession, but doesn't the get shot off in time and the Cats fall in the Elite Eight.
March 14, 2015: Miller clinches first ever Pac-12 Tournament title
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Sean Miller waves the remains of the net at the fans as the Wildcats celebrate a win against Oregon in the championship game of the Pac-12 Tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, Las Vegas, Nev. Kelly Presnell / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ routs Oregon 80-52 in the Pac-12 title game, giving Miller his first-ever Pac-12 Tournament title.
March 28, 2015: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ loses to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight ... again
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell (4) is embraced by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Sean Miller after coming off the court in the second half during the NCAA West Regional Championship game on Saturday March 28, 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Wisconsin won 85-78.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets a rematch with the top-seeded Badgers, and while Frank "The Tank" Kaminsky isn't as a big of a factor on the boards as in 2014, he still manages to score 29 points. Except this time, Sam Dekker was there to back Kaminsky up.Ìý
Dekker drops 27 points on 5 of 6 shooting from 3-point range and for the second straight season, the Badgers are in the Final Four, not ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. T.J. McConnell, Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Brandon Ashley would leave for the NBA Draft afterwards.
March 4, 2017: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beats ASU, shares Pac-12 regular season title with Oregon
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) celebrate the win after the No. 7 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils men's college basketball game on March 4, 2017, in Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 73-60. Mike Christy / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beats ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 73-60 in Tempe and sweeps the Sun Devils for the second straight season, clinching a share of the Pac-12 regular season championship with Oregon.Ìý
March 11, 2017: Cats beat Oregon in showdown of co-champs
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Sean Miller holds up the trophy after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defeated Oregon 83-80 in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Pac-12 men's tournament Saturday, March 11, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Wildcats outlast Oregon 83-80 in the Pac-12 Tournament final behind Allonzo Trier's 23-point performance; the junior guard is named the Pac-12 Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
March 23, 2017: Miller falls to former team in NCAA Tournament
Wildcats Allonzo Trier and Lauri Markkanen absorb last season’s Sweet 16 loss to Xavier. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ lost 73-71 after winning the Pac-12 and entering the tournament as a No.3 seed.
In the Sweet 16, the Wildcats run into his former team, Xavier. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ struggles in the second half, and freshman Lauri Markkanen doesn't have a shot attempt in the final 11 minutes, and the Musketeers upset ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 73-71.Ìý
Summer 2017: Miller brings in monstrous recruiting class
Hillcrest Prep junior DeAndre Ayton, a 7-foot-1 basketball player, is rated the No.1 player in the country. Pictured here at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, AZ on February 1, 2016.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ returns Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Dusan Ristic and Keanu Pinder for the 2018 season, all players that had significant roles on the 2017 Sweet 16 team.
Miller adds to that a recruiting class that inclues Ira Lee, Brandon Randolph, Alex Barcello, reclassified five-star 2018 prospect Emmanuel Akot — and No. 1 overall recruit Deandre Ayton, the 7-foot-1 Bahamian prodigy who played at Phoenix's Hillcrest Prep.
Sept. 27, 2017: Assistant coach arrested following FBI raid
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson is arrested by the FBI on allegations of bribery after he allegedly asked for $20,000 from co-defendants Christian Dawkins and Munish Sood, and released after posting a $50,000 bond. Richardson faces up to 60 years in federal prison and $1.5 million in fines if convicted of all charges.
Oct. 3, 2017: Miller releases statement amid FBI investigation
Dusan Ristic, left, and Allonzo Trier, right, look towards Sean Miller, head coach for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats, as he answers a question during a press conference at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on October 05, 2017.
After nearly a week of silence, Miller releases a statement saying he's "devastated" over the allegations against Richardson.
Here's the full statement:
“I was devastated to learn last week of the allegations made against Emanuel Richardson," he said. I have expressed to both Dr. Robbins and our Athletic Director Dave Heeke that I fully support the university’s efforts to fully investigate these allegations.
"As the head basketball coach at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, I recognize my responsibility is not only to establish a culture of success on the basketball court and in the classroom, but as important, to promote and reinforce a culture of compliance. To the best of my ability, I have worked to demonstrate this over the past 8 years and will continue to do so as we move forward.â€
Feb. 23, 2018: ESPN reports FBI wiretapped recordings of Miller discussing payment
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Sean Miller gives ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) a defensive critique during the second half.
On the eve of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ taking on Oregon in Eugene, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reports that the FBI has a wiretapped phone conversation between Miller and ASM Sports agency runner Christian Dawkins in which the two allegedly discuss a $100,000 payment to Ayton.
As a result, Miller doesn't coach the Wildcats in their overtime loss against Oregon.
March 1, 2018: Miller denies ESPN report, says he is returning
Miller denies the ESPN report and announces that he plans to coach the team to a Pac-12 championship.
"I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program," Miller said. "I have never paid a recruit or prospect or their family or representative to come to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. I never have and I never will. I have never arranged or directed payment or any improper benefits to a recruit or prospect or their family or representative and I never will."
UA president Robert Robbins and AD Dave Heeke back Miller, releasing a joint statement saying they have no reason to believe he violated NCAA rules at the time.
Sean Miller on the ESPN story of wiretap recordings of him discussing a $100K payment to land Deandre Ayton: “Any report to the contrary is inaccurate, false and defamatory. I’m outraged by the media statements.â€
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
March 10, 2018: Wildcats roar through Pac-12; Miller wins another title
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Sean Miller waves the net after the team's NCAA college basketball game against Southern California for the Pac-12 men's tournament championship Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Las Vegas. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 75-61.
After clinching the Pac-12 regular-season title in Miller's return from the ESPN fallout, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wins three games in as many days in Las Vegas to win its second straight tournament championship and third in four years.
March 15, 2018: No. 13 seed Buffalo knocks out ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in first round
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Sean Miller shows signs of frustration as his team walks back to the bench for a timeout in the second half during the first round NCAA South Region game at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho on March 15, 2018. Buffalo won 89-68.
Buffalo blasts No. 4 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Boise, Idaho. The 21-point loss is the fourth-worst loss the program has suffered in tournament history, and a Miller-coached team is sent home after the first round for a second time in three seasons.
April 6, 2018: AD supports Miller after state regents add $1M penalty clause to contract
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Sean Miller huddles with his Wildcats during a time out in the second half against Baylor at McKale Center, Saturday, December 15, 2018, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Board of Regents approves amendments to Miller's contract that adds a $1 million penalty for wrongdoing and tighter Title IX language.
Miller stands to lose $1 million of his longevity fund shares if he is charged with a crime or found to have committed a Level I (major) NCAA violation.
Sept. 14, 2018: Five-star guard Nico Mannion commits to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ basketball commits Josh Green, right, and Nico Mannion, center, will play for the World Team at the Nike Hoop Summit game in Portland on Friday. Green will represent Australia, and Mannion will represent Italy.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Gatorade Player of the Year Nico Mannion commits to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in September 2018, becoming the first recruit of the 2019-20 recruiting class. Mannion, a five-star guard out of Pinnacle High School (Phoenix), is the building block of the nation's sixth-ranked recruiting class.
It marks Miller's eighth recruiting class that ranked top 10 nationally.Ìý
The Wildcats also sign five-star guard Josh Green, four-star forward Zeke Nnaji and three-star center Christian Koloko in the class.
Jan. 26, 2019: Wildcats blown out by USC, UCLA as Pac-12 struggles define season
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Brandon Williams (2) ends up swiping the ball from UCLA guard Jaylen Hands (4) near the top of the key in the second half of their Pac-12 game at Pauley Pavilion, Saturday, January 26, 2019, Los Angeles, Calif.
After losing much of the 2018-19 recruiting class to de-commitments, Miller rebuilds ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s roster on the fly. The 2018-19 Wildcats are led by Brandon Williams, who recommits to UA after previously backing out of his original verbal commit.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ starts out the season 14-5 and in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth. But the team sputters at the end of January, losing back-to-back games to USC and UCLA.
The Cats then drop four more consecutive games, marking the first time in 35 years the program lost five or more in a row. They finish the season 17-15 and 8-10 in the Pac-12, the first time in Miller's career the team did not go over .500 in conference play.
Feb. 9, 2019: AD affirms his support for Miller after assistant coach Mark Phelps' removal
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats athletic director Dave Heeke addresses the media at halftime of the UA-WSU game at McKale Center on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, concerning the school's move to fire assistant Mark Phelps and its support of Sean Miller.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats assistant coach Mark Phelps is removed from the bench after Ìýthat Phelps was involved in an NCAA issue regarding the academic records of former UA commit Shareef O’Neal.
UA athletic director Dave Heeke calls anÌýimpromptu press conference duringÌýhalftime of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s home basketball game against Washington State to affirm he plans to keep Miller as the team's head coach.Ìý
“We’re fully supportive of the coaching staff, the leadership of the basketball program,†Heeke said. “We’re supporting, as I have said before, we support Coach Miller. Those things that have been said to the contrary to that are not true.â€
Rather than fire him, the UA allows Phelps' contract to run out.
April 19, 2019: Judge rules that Miller does not have to testify in college basketball trial
Christian Dawkins stands outside federal court Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in New York. Dawkins and youth basketball coach Merl Code were convicted on a conspiracy count, but acquitted of some other charges.
New York judge Edgardo Ramos rules that the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats’ coach and LSU coach Will Wade do not have to testify in the federal trial involving corruption in college basketball, saying their alleged misdeeds are irrelevant to the felony bribery charges facing would-be agent Christian Dawkins and Adidas rep Merl Code.Ìý
May 4, 2019: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ confirms NCAA investigation into men's basketball program 'is underway'
UA said it was bracing for substantial penalties from the NCAA for the actions of Book Richardson, right. The school confirmed in May that an NCAA investigation was underway.
The University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ men’s basketball program confirms it is being investigated by the NCAA. UA issues a statement refuting other reports published that might have implied the investigation was new.
Fall 2019: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in top 25 to begin 2019-20 season
Guard Jemarl Baker Jr. , right, wasn’t cleared to play for UA this year until Thursday. Although he was a bit rusty in Friday’s exhibition, coach Sean Miller has big plans for him.
In the AP preseason poll, the Wildcats are ranked 21st in the country, marking the first time since 2018 that the team has been nationally ranked.
UA is also picked to finished fourth in the Pac-12 preseason poll.
A week before the season opener, Kentucky transfer Jemarl Baker is granted immediate eligibility for the 2019-20 season, boosting UA's outlook for the season to go along with a top 10 recruiting class.
Baker, a 6-foot-4-inch guard from Southern California, initially was expected to sit out the season He decided to appeal based on injuries and other issues in Lexington.Ìý
The addition of Baker helps ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fill in its depth issues after sophomore guard Brandon Williams was lost for the season due to a knee injury before the start of the year.
Nov. 10, 2019: Freshmen star in blowout win over Ilinois
During a fast break, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Josh Green (0) shoots the ball during the first half of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini at McKale Center on November 10th, 2019.
FreshmenÌýNico Mannion,ÌýJosh GreenÌýand forwardÌýZeke NnajiÌýcombine for 62 of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s 90 points in a 21-point home win overÌýIllinois.Ìý
Their performance leads Miller to believe it's possibly his best class at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
"It’s certainly one of the best, if not the best," he said.
Dec. 15, 2019: Miller bemoans team's shooting following loss to Gonzaga
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s game against Gonzaga this season is the only one on the schedule that doesn’t have a force majeure clause, because the contract was written back in 2015.
No. 15 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ makes just 8 of 30 3-pointers and shoots under 40% as a team in an 84-80 loss to No. 6 Gonzaga in McKale Center.
Miller holds a 17-minute press conference after the game detailing why ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was unable to win.
March 12, 2020: NCAA basketball season cut short due to pandemic
With Nico Mannion and others expected to enter the draft, Sean Miller will have work to do to compile his 2020-21 team.
The Wildcats post a 21-11 regular-season mark, peaking in March.
In the first round of Pac-12 tournament on March 11, the Cats beat Washington 77-70 behind Josh Green's 19 points to set up a match with USC in the quarterfinals.Ìý
Miller calls it "one of our season’s best performances."
A day later, the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments are canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.Ìý 12, the coronavirus is declared a pandemic in the United States and both the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments were canceled, effectively ending ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s season.
At the time, UA hovered between a 6 or 7 seed.
Oct. 25, 2020: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Miller receive NCAA's Notice of Allegations
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Sean Miller calls in his defensive alignment against Oregon in the first half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 22, 2020 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is charged with nine rules violations in the NCAA's Notice of Allegations, five of which are Level 1 violations.
Miller is charged with a Level 1 violation for a lack of head coach control and failing to monitorÌýtwo assistant coaches accused of academic misconduct and improper recruiting inducements. The NOA is not released to the public until the following March.
Dec. 29, 2020: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ self-imposes postseason ban for 2021 Pac-12, NCAA tournaments
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Sean Miller may have done just enough to get ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in as one of the final at-large teams in the NCAA Tournament had the Wildcats not instituted a self-imposed postseason ban.
Acknowledging that NCAA investigators found some former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ men's basketball staffers displayed "serious lapses in judgment," the school announcesÌý that it has self-imposed a ban on the upcoming postseason
“I understand and fully support the university’s decision to self-impose a one-year postseason ban on our men’s basketball program," Miller says in a statement. "Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a Pac-12 championship.â€
Feb. 18 2021: Wildcats lose to UCLA for fifth straight time
UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (4) looks to pass the ball while defended by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is outscored 44-29 in the second half by UCLA at Pauley Pavilion as the Wildcats drop their fifth game in a row to the Bruins.
March 1, 2021: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ ends 2020-21 season with loss to Ducks
Sean Miller is the new head coach at Xavier, according to reports.
In ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s season finale, the Wildcats lose 80-69 on the road to Oregon.
UA finishes the yearÌý17-9 overall and 11-9 in Pac-12 play.
After the game, Miller said he was pleased with the team's overall finish despite not having postseason incentives to play for.
"I’ll just share with you what I said to our team after the game: This is the 17th team that I’ve had as a head coach, and I’ve never been prouder of a group of guys than I am of this year’s team," Miller said.
March 8, 2021: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ president Robert C. Robbins says Miller 'is our coach'
UA athletic director Dave Heeke and president Robert C. Robbins (center of third row from bottom) blend in with cardboard cutouts of former players during a men's basketball game against Cal State Bakersfield in December.
A week after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s season ends, UA presidentÌýRobert C. Robbins says he expects Miller back for the 2021-2022 season.Ìý
"He’s out there recruiting," Robbins says of Miller. "I think signing day is coming up soon. We’ve got a really good team. They’re young, but good. And we’re eager to move forward and get the final chapter of this now-almost four-year saga over. But Coach Miller is our coach."
April 7, 2021: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Miller part ways
The University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ announces it is parting ways with Miller after 12 years.Ìý
President Robbins and athletic director Dave Heeke met with Miller this week and informed him of the decision.
"We feel like it's the appropriate time to make a change," Heeke said. "So that we can restore and begin to rebuild the overall high-caliber status of this world-class basketball program."
Miller ends his coaching career at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ with aÌý302-109 record (.735), threeÌýPac-12 Tournament championships, five conference championships and no Final Four appearances.Ìý
Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at 520-573-4362 or ghansen@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ghansen711
Greg Hansen
Columnist
