I understood the early fervor about Miller's candidacy. Pittsburgh kid, big-name coach. I get it. But I thought after a few days of contemplation and reflection, objectivity would win the day.
Miller would be a disaster of a hire. This board is unanimous in its agreement that the next coach must be able to recruit, and I'm mystified that so many believe he'll be able to do this effectively--or at all.
He has lost his entire recruiting class at Arizona, and there are no signs he's been able to attract any new recruits for the '18-'19 season. He is radioactive. I've coached high school basketball players who've gone D1, including one recently recruited by Stallings who ultimately committed to a Big 10 school. That athlete looked to me for guidance and advice, and if Miller had been at Pitt, I'd have told him not only to go elsewhere but to run as far, far away from Pitt as possible. To say nothing of the influence of parents, many of whom (see the three 'Zona decommits) would respond similarly. The risks of signing up to play for Miller are just too high, and it's going to be a solid year, at least, before we know what's really hiding behind Door #1. This episode, even if there are no other skeletons in the closet, is likely to taint him for years to come.
Any player getting an offer from Miller/Pitt in the ACC will have multiple offers from other P5s. Add the Miller risk to the program's condition and how can you possibly believe that Pitt will outduel those programs for 4- and 5-star talent? Can you imagine what opposing coaches will do when recruiting against Pitt? Can you hear the sell if Pitt is in a player's final 3 or 4? "Wait, you're considering Pitt? I mean, I don't want to criticize another coach, and Sean Miller, well, he's a friend of mine, but his last assistant is doing time in Leavenworth and he left Arizona in disgrace and the NCAA is investigating and people I know in Indianapolis have told me it's only a matter of time before they drop the hammer. I'd hate to see you get caught up in that and then have to transfer. At this point, I'm not even really worried about Sean's coaching career, I'm more concerned about his life. A show-cause penalty is nothing compared to a prison sentence."
Stop drinking the Kool-aid. Hiring Sean MIller would be a disaster for the University of Pittsburgh. When the prodigal came home in the Bible, he threw himself at his father's feet and said, "Father forgive me, I'm not worthy to be your son." This prodigal is far more likely to drag Pitt down into the pig slop to join him.
Miller would be a disaster of a hire. This board is unanimous in its agreement that the next coach must be able to recruit, and I'm mystified that so many believe he'll be able to do this effectively--or at all.
He has lost his entire recruiting class at Arizona, and there are no signs he's been able to attract any new recruits for the '18-'19 season. He is radioactive. I've coached high school basketball players who've gone D1, including one recently recruited by Stallings who ultimately committed to a Big 10 school. That athlete looked to me for guidance and advice, and if Miller had been at Pitt, I'd have told him not only to go elsewhere but to run as far, far away from Pitt as possible. To say nothing of the influence of parents, many of whom (see the three 'Zona decommits) would respond similarly. The risks of signing up to play for Miller are just too high, and it's going to be a solid year, at least, before we know what's really hiding behind Door #1. This episode, even if there are no other skeletons in the closet, is likely to taint him for years to come.
Any player getting an offer from Miller/Pitt in the ACC will have multiple offers from other P5s. Add the Miller risk to the program's condition and how can you possibly believe that Pitt will outduel those programs for 4- and 5-star talent? Can you imagine what opposing coaches will do when recruiting against Pitt? Can you hear the sell if Pitt is in a player's final 3 or 4? "Wait, you're considering Pitt? I mean, I don't want to criticize another coach, and Sean Miller, well, he's a friend of mine, but his last assistant is doing time in Leavenworth and he left Arizona in disgrace and the NCAA is investigating and people I know in Indianapolis have told me it's only a matter of time before they drop the hammer. I'd hate to see you get caught up in that and then have to transfer. At this point, I'm not even really worried about Sean's coaching career, I'm more concerned about his life. A show-cause penalty is nothing compared to a prison sentence."
Stop drinking the Kool-aid. Hiring Sean MIller would be a disaster for the University of Pittsburgh. When the prodigal came home in the Bible, he threw himself at his father's feet and said, "Father forgive me, I'm not worthy to be your son." This prodigal is far more likely to drag Pitt down into the pig slop to join him.
