Sean Miller's days at Arizona might be numbered after a tumultuous season ended with a blowout loss to Buffalo in the NCAA Tournament.
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Miller's job was widely believed to be in jeopardy in February after ESPN reported recordings existed of the ninth-year head coach offering $100,000 to an agent for the commitment of five-star freshman Deandre Ayton. He survived the report and led the Wildcats to the Pac-12 Tournament title and a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Then all hell broke loose again on Thursday night when Arizona was clobbered by Buffalo and suddenly Miller might once again be fighting for his job. If he is indeed fired after going 247-74 in nine seasons, where could he land if he doesn't take a break?
MORE: Replacements for Miller at Arizona
Here are five potential suitors.
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Pittsburgh
Current Head Coach: Vacant
Sean Miller grew up just outside Pittsburgh, played for the Panthers and spent one season there as an assistant. And after Kevin Stallings ran the program into the ground in just two seasons, they're in need of a home-run hire.
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UConn
Current Head Coach: Vacant
Another once-proud northeast program who's fallen into the sewer, UConn is reportedly focused on Rhode Island's Dan Hurley. Sean Miller would be another terrific option, though does Miller want to coach in the AAC?
UConn is a decent job, not a great job, and Miller can likely do better, assuming most schools aren't turned off by a potential NCAA investigation.
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San Diego
Current Head Coach: Vacant
Pac-12 to the WCC? Easy pass, right?
Maybe not if you've been chewed up and spit out a million times over the last few months are looking for something in a lower-pressure environment.
Toreros' head coach Lamont Smith resigned in early March after a domestic violence arrest. He had the program in the right direction and Miller could be their savior, if he's willing to sacrifice a big salary, among other things.
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Xavier
Current Head Coach: Chris Mack
"The Cardinals' job still appears to be centered on Xavier’s Chris Mack, who has the No. 1 seed in the NCAAs and could be locked in for a long run," reported Pete Thamel on March 14.
If Mack leaves, might his predecessor become his successor?
Mack was a Miller assistant for three seasons before replacing him in 2009. The program is now a Big East power and could attract some big-time suitors or wish to keep things consistent with an in-house hire. If not, a return to Xavier makes a lot of sense for both sides.
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Washington State
Current Head Coach: Ernie Kent
Ernie Kent should be back for another year thanks to one of the worst contracts in Pac-12 history. But if Sean Miller is on the market, might Washington State be inclined to take a financial hit to energize a miserable program?
The geographical fit is a legitimate concern. Miller has recruited just about every corner of the country over the last two decades but has never coached anywhere near the northwest.
MORE: Ernie Kent Should Be Fired
