Texas Longhorns Hire Sean Miller as New Basketball Coach

AUSTIN, Texas — Sean Miller has been named the new head coach of Texas men’s basketball, as announced Monday by the university.

Miller, a seasoned coach with 13 NCAA tournament appearances to his name, replaces Rodney Terry, who led the Longhorns to the Elite Eight in 2023 but departed from the program earlier this month. Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte expressed confidence in the decision, stating, “When we were considering our next head coach, Sean Miller was a name that immediately came up as a perfect fit for us. He checks all the boxes as a leader and has a great plan for our program.”

Before his hiring at Texas, Miller had a notable tenure at Xavier, where he regained the position in 2022 after his exit from Arizona amid controversy. His record stands at 487 wins and a winning percentage of more than 71% throughout his coaching career.

The announcement comes just days after Texas was eliminated from the NCAA tournament by Xavier, losing 86-80 in a First Four matchup on March 19. Terry’s evolution from interim coach to head coach was significant, but after being unable to advance past the first weekend of the tournament in consecutive seasons, his departure was expected.

Interim President Jim Davis praised Miller, noting, “Sean Miller is a proven winner who will bring excellence to our men’s basketball program. He has the experience and expertise to build a championship-level team with skilled players both on and off the court.”

Miller’s career has included leading teams to four regular-season Pac-12 titles at Arizona and three Elite Eight appearances. His earlier coaching journey began at Xavier in 2004, setting the stage for his later success with the Wildcats.

Miller’s return to the Musketeers in 2022 allowed him to guide the squad to two NCAA Tournament appearances in three years. As he takes the helm at Texas, he is now tasked with continuing that success on the national stage in the Longhorns’ storied basketball program.

Not only has Miller amassed accolades for coaching success, but he has also been instrumental in producing NBA talent. He ranks second to Arkansas coach John Calipari in the number of players developed for professional basketball over the last 20 years, with 27 graduates entering the NBA.

Del Conte emphasized his enthusiasm for Miller’s arrival, declaring, “The future is bright, and I can’t wait to get him here with our elite group of head coaches.” With expectations set high, Miller’s leadership will aim to restore Texas’s prominence in collegiate basketball.