The University of Arizona and basketball coach Sean Miller made a joint announcement Saturday that he would not coach the Wildcats’ game Saturday against Oregon in the wake of an ESPN report that Miller discussed paying a potential recruit. Miller and the school agreed to the decision, citing the “best interests of the University and the basketball program.”
Associate head coach Lorenzo Romar, former head coach at Washington, replaced Miller on the bench. Star freshman Deandre Ayton, the recruit referred to in the report, was allowed to play.
The Wildcats lost by 5 points in overtime play.
In the joint statement Miller said he was “confident that I will be vindicated.”
“I believe it is in the best interest of our team that I not coach the game tonight,” said Miller. “I continue to fully support the University’s efforts to fully investigate this matter and am confident that I will be vindicated. For now, my thoughts are with our team. They are a great group of young men that will support each other and continue their pursuit of winning a Pac-12 championship.”
A lawyer representing Ayton’s family released a statement saying they were “outraged and disgusted by recent news stories which have falsely implied” (sic) them.
More than six months ago “[Ayton] directly stated to the FBI, , that he never discussed or solicited payments from the University of Arizona, or any other university, or any shoe company or anyone on behalf of either — Period. This includes basketball and anything else.”
The Arizona Board of Regents issued a statement of concern about the media reports after an emergency meeting of the Board. The Board met to receive legal advice regarding the issue and reported that they plan to “reconvene for updates and legal advice in the coming days.”
“This is an emotionally charged issue but it is essential that we move forward decisively and based on facts. We must do everything we can to ensure that our programs are of the highest caliber as we must also protect the rights of all involved and respect due process for employees,” said the Board in a statement released Saturday.
The University of Arizona was rocked last week after it was reported that “an amendment to a federal Title IX lawsuit against the University of Arizona alleges that multiple Wildcat football players gang-raped both female students and staff members,” according to the Daily Wildcat.