Sean Miller Holds Press Conference to Say He Will Coach The Rest of the Year and Denies ESPN Report
Well we finally have some news on Sean Miller at least after that press conference. Miller of course was named in the ESPN report that he was on a FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment for Deandre Ayton with Christian Dawkins. Since then, 247Sports put out a report saying the timeline of the ESPN report didn’t line up. It has led to a big time back and forth about what really is going on out in Arizona.
Miller doubled down on what he originally said, this time saying he will return to coaching Arizona because he has ‘done absolutely nothing wrong.’ It’s a big time statement by Miller considering the initial report talks about wiretapping, meaning either he discussed a payment of $100,000 for Deandre Ayton or the ESPN report isn’t true. Either way that’s a big time story in the sports world. Miller also had this quote during the statement, “I have never discussed with Christian Dawkins paying DeAndre Ayton to attend the University of Arizona.”
He finished it by saying he looks forward to guiding Arizona to a Pac-12 championship.
Sean Miller didn’t coach against Oregon last Saturday, less than 24 hours after the ESPN report broke. Deandre Ayton did play in that game and has played in every game so far this season. The reason why Ayton is still playing? There’s no show of money actually changing hand, therefore he can’t be ruled ineligible. All we know is there’s a report of a wiretapping discussing it. The NCAA can’t do anything until there’s actual proof of money switching hands and getting to Ayton.
Miller has been the head coach at Arizona since the 2009-10 season. He has a 242-72 record at Arizona while leading the Wildcats to four – soon to be 5 – Pac-12 regular season titles and three Elite Eights.
Arizona plays tonight against Stanford and then ends the season on Saturday against Cal. Both games are at home. Miller will be on the sideline for these games.
