Jay Bilas: 'Pipe dream to believe' a coach like Sean Miller couldn't leave Tucson
Originally published: Dec 19, 2012 - 7:24 pm
Arguably more astounding, is that Boeheim is the only member of the elite club -- Bob Knight and Mike Krzyzewski being the others -- to win all 900 with one school (Syracuse University). In an age of college sports, where recruiting resources and television deals have become almost as important to coaches as the end result, Boeheim's accomplishment raises a serious question: Will there ever be another coach who creates his entire legacy at one school?
As it relates to the local sports scene, Sean Miller is already carving quite a legacy for himself down in Tucson. Now in his fourth season as the head coach of the Arizona men's basketball team, Miller has done a remarkable job picking up the pieces of a program in transition after the departure of famed coach Lute Olsen.
As UA's coach, Miller has accumulated a 78-35 record, led the Wildcats to two postseason appearances (Elite Eight in 2010-11 and NIT First Round in 2011-12), and currently has the program off to its best start (ranked No. 4 in the country) since 1987-88.
However, Miller is not in his first rodeo, having previously led Xavier University (A-10 conference) to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2005-2009.
So as Miller continues to build Arizona's program to an elite status both within the Pac-12 conference and nationally, should UA fans be concerned that the Pennsylvania native might bolt for greener pastures, or more specifically East Coast pastures, if another school came calling?
"I think you always have to be worried about that," ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas told Arizona Sports 620's Burns & Gambo Wednesday. "I don't think [Miller] is going anywhere, I'm not suggesting that, but what I'm saying is that I think it's a pipe dream to believe that nobody's ever going to leave anymore."
listen
Listen: Jay Bilas, ESPN college basketball expert Bilas reacts to Arizona's win over the number 5 ranked team in the country. Bilas gives his take on the potential of the U of A two big freshman. Bilas previews what to expect in this years NBA draft and if there is a new norm in college basketball.
|
While Miller has proven in just a short time that Tucson is still a hotbed for basketball talent, Bilas points out that collegiate athletics is such a transient industry that no coach is guaranteed to stay in one place for decades at a time anymore.
"This is too big a business and there are too many other options out there," said Bilas. "I think that Arizona is one of the top 10 programs in the country from a coaching-standpoint, it's a wonderful destination as a coach, but I don't think there is anywhere anymore where you can say, 'So-and-so is never going to leave here, we've got him forever.'"
- Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett - 3/29 - Friday March 29The season has come to an end in the most excruciating of ways. Adam and Jarrett break down the loss
- Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett - 3/26 - Tuesday March 26The Wildcats are in the Sweet 16 for the second time in four years. Should we be impressed? Are we w
- Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett - 3/19 - Tuesday March 19Tournaments for everyone! Adam and Jarrett talk about the Pac-12 Tournament result and then Arizona'
- Mike DeCourcy, Sporting News CBB Insider - Monday March 18Doug and Wolf ask DeCourcy what he thinks about this year's NCAA Tournament bracket.
- Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett - 3/12 - Tuesday March 12A nice win over Arizona State is followed by the Pac-12 Tournament. How do the Wildcats look? Adam a





































