Wes Miller will not return as University of Cincinnati men’s basketball coach, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because the university has not announced the decision.
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Cincinnati is not expected to announce Miller’s firing until both sides have negotiated a fair buyout. Miller has three years left on his contract, but is owed $9.9 million if the firing occurs before March 31. This amount drops to $4.69 million if termination occurs after April 1.
Miller was 100-74 in five seasons, including 18-15 this year. Cincinnati hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2019, which was Mick Cronin’s final season before leaving for UCLA.
The Bearcats were 11-12 at one point this season before winning seven of their last 10 games. Their late attempt to place on the right side of the tournament bubble ended Wednesday in the Big 12 Tournament, when UCF rallied for a 66-65 victory after Cincinnati had an eight-point advantage with 2:17 left.
Miller’s best season came last year. Cincinnati opened 10-1 and was ranked 14th in the AP Top 25. The Bearcats faltered once conference play began, however, and went 7-13 in the Big 12.
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Miller was hired in 2021 after 10 seasons at UNC-Greensboro, where he led the Spartans to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
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