ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Jay Bilas: ‘Pipe dream to believe’ a coach like Sean Miller couldn’t leave Tucson

Dec 20, 2012, 2:24 AM | Updated: 3:46 am

Earlier this week, Jim Boeheim notched his 900th career victory as a Division 1 head coach, becoming just the third coach in the history of college basketball to achieve the feat.

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.”

Arizona Basketball

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

15 hours ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

16 hours ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

22 hours ago

(L-R) Caleb Love #2, Keshad Johnson #16, Oumar Ballo #11, and Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildc...

Vincent DeAngelis

Re-ranking Arizona basketball among Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Multiple publications rank the Arizona Wildcats around the middle of the pack among the Sweet 16 team still in the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

Darian DeVries...

Associated Press

West Virginia basketball hires Darian DeVries to be new coach after 6 years at Drake

West Virginia tapped Drake coach Darian DeVries on Sunday to move the Mountaineers past one of the ugliest years in school history.

4 days ago

Tommy Lloyd...

Arizona Sports

How to watch: Arizona vs. Clemson in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

What time and how to watch the No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats take on No. 6 Clemson Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

4 days ago

Jay Bilas: ‘Pipe dream to believe’ a coach like Sean Miller couldn’t leave Tucson