Sean Miller Was Fired From the University of Arizona After a Corruption Scandal

Xavier College is playing Illinois in the first round of March Madness, but following the team's First Four appearance, many wanted to know more about the history of the team's coach, Sean Miller.

Until 2021, Sean was working as the head coach of the University of Arizona basketball team, a position he first took on in 2009.

Now, many want to know more about why Miller left Arizona, and whether it was his decision. Here's what we know.

Miller was fired from his job at Arizona in 2021 amidst a corruption scandal. Former assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery after he was accused of accepting $20,000 to steer Arizona players to sports agent Christian Dawkins. Richardson also claimed that Miller was paying Dandre Ayton $10,000 a month to attend Arizona, although Miller has denied those allegations.

The NCAA charged Arizona with five Level I violations, including a claim that Miller was not demonstrating "that he promoted an atmosphere for compliance and monitored his staff."

"We appreciate Sean's commitment to our basketball program and to the university,'' Arizona athletics director Dave Heeke said in a statement.

"After taking the many factors involved into account, we simply believe that we need a fresh start, and now is the time. I want to thank Sean, Amy, and their sons for their service to the university and wish them the very best in the future," he continued.

The statement does not explicitly reference the corruption allegations, but it seems clear that they played a role in Arizona's decision to move on from Miller.

ESPN reported that Arizona had been considering a contract extension for Miller, but the Board of Regents would not approve it because of the allegations against him and his staff.

"After conferring with Dave Heeke since the season's end, it has become clear that our men's basketball program - and our University - needs to write a new chapter in our history, and that begins with a change of leadership,'' university president Robert C. Robbins said in a statement.

"Arizona Basketball means so much to so many and, as stewards of the program, we must always act in the best interests of the university. I believe our future is bright, and I look forward to welcoming a new head coach to the Wildcat family," he continued.

Miller worked as the coach at Xavier before taking his job with Arizona, and returned to that program after his dismissal.

This whole scandal happened in an era before college athletes were allowed to be paid. Now, there are official, school-sanctioned programs in place at many schools that allow them to receive pay for their work, and also to take on endorsements. While we don't know whether Miller was guilty of what he has been accused of, he's now operating in a very different world than the one he was in at Arizona.