Former Arizona coach Sean Miller escapes sanctions from NCAA violations case

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - A new report released from the Independent Accountability Resolution Process suggests a bit of relief for former University of Arizona men's basketball coach, Sean Miller.

While the report holds two of the program's former assistant coaches mainly responsible for violating NCAA rules, it leaves Miller largely unscathed.

Arizona was originally accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA in October 2020. The violations included a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by Miller.

But the IARP report was much more lenient on Miller in its report.

So although the program is still serving probation through 2025, the IARP has largely accepted the basketball program's self-imposed penalties - clearing their former head coach of any sanctions.

The university announced in April 2021 that Miller was leaving the school after 12 seasons - ultimately sending Miller back to Xavier. Meanwhile, the Wildcats hired former Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd to take his place.

The program already made it through their one-year postseason ban in 2020-21, but in the end Arizona may still suffer minor setbacks from the process, including losing one additional scholarship for the 2023-24 season.

The panel’s decision is final, meaning there will be no appeals.