Sean Miller returning to Xavier for second stint as head coach

Sean Miller was announced as the new head coach at Xavier on Saturday, following several days of speculation that the former Musketeers coach would be headed back to the program. Miller coached at XU from 2004-09, going 120-47, winning three A-10 titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament four times.

“Xavier is thrilled to welcome Sean Miller and his family back to Victory Parkway,” said AD Greg Christopher. “Sean is an elite college basketball coach and a proven winner who understands the expectations, traditions and values of Xavier and the BIG EAST Conference. He will bring a high level of energy and excitement to our program and he will do it the right way.”

Miller was courted by a number of high-major programs this month, namely Xavier and South Carolina, after spending the last year out of coaching. He was fired by Arizona in April 2021 after twelve seasons there, during which time he won five Pac-12 titles, was named Pac-12 COY three times and went to seven NCAA Tournaments (with five Sweet Sixteens). Since then, he has worked in media and hosted a podcast with his younger brother, Archie, who was also fired last year but recently became the head coach at Rhode Island.

“Xavier and the BIG EAST Conference both hold special places in my heart,” Miller said. “I enjoyed my experience competing at the highest level in the BIG EAST as a player and have always dreamed of being a head coach in the best basketball league in the country. Xavier has always done things the right way. This is an incredible opportunity for us to build on Xavier’s successful tradition and take the program to new heights.”

Xavier parted ways with former head coach Travis Steele earlier this week after four seasons without any NCAA Tournament berths. The Musketeers are actually still playing this season, hosting Florida in the NIT on Sunday. The timing of Steele’s firing seems related to Miller’s availability and XU not wanting to lose him to another program.

credit to Xavier Athletics for the image