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The University of Arizona announced it had parted ways with men’s basketball coach Sean Miller Wednesday morning, setting off a storm of reactions across social media.
Unsurprisingly, many of Miller’s former and current players were disappointed with the decision, while members of college basketball media took a different approach.
Here is a look at the instant reactions to Miller’s dismissal.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Dusan Ristic and Allonzo Trier were among Miller’s former players to express their grievance with the decision.
I don’t like this
— Dušan Ristić (@ristic_dusan) April 7, 2021
This is a sad day.
— Pfunk (@unrulymino0) April 7, 2021
— Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) April 7, 2021
Miller’s older son, Austin, pointed out his father’s on-the-court success in Tucson.
302 - 109, 73% winning percentage, 3x PAC-12 coach of the year, 5x PAC-12 conference championships, 3x PAC-12 conference tournament championships, FIBA U-19 gold medal, 2x sweet-sixteens, and 3x elite eights
— Austin Miller (@austinmiller_3) April 7, 2021
Freshman point guard Kerr Kriisa was one of the first active Wildcats to publicly Twitter about Miller’s departure.
Just leaving it out here.. One of the best coaches I've been coached by https://t.co/D5PgY2Ujav
— Kerr (@KerrKriisa) April 7, 2021
Several other active players commented on Instagram.
“Appreciate BIG CAT!! My guy” - James Akinjo
“Mistakes Have Been Made! Thankful For Everything You did! DESERVED BETTER” - Kriisa
“Best Coach There Is.” - Azuolas Tubelis
“Appreciate everything you did for me coach.” - Christian Koloko
“Mistakes have been made”
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) April 7, 2021
Current Arizona players react to UA parting ways with Sean Miller. pic.twitter.com/tqIa2JjaOI
Former walk-on Max Wiepking said the decision to fire Miller “makes it hard to continue to support Arizona Athletics.”
A stupid decision like this makes it hard to continue to support Arizona athletics... smh
— Max Wiepking (@maxwellwiepking) April 7, 2021
Then there’s ESPN’s Dick Vitale, a long time critic of Miller who had publicly called for the coach’s firing over the last four years.
Fans of @APlayersProgram can’t be shocked - they have multiple Level 1 Allegations from the @NCAA The only SURPRISE is that it has taken so long for a change .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 7, 2021
Jeff Goodman of The Stadium, an Arizona alum, shared his thoughts on the decision in great detail.
SEAN MILLER HAS BEEN FIRED! What's next for Arizona? https://t.co/4xDKQ6TXNj
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 7, 2021
Other veteran basketball writers chimed in on the future of A Player’s Program.
I would love to see @PacificMensBB @Iambiggie503 get a shot. He had to take over a program coming out of penalties. He could manage this one too. He would have great support from @APlayersProgram alumni. https://t.co/qW0qyigix4
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) April 7, 2021
Live look at Arizona fans realizing that the trend in college basketball is to hire former players who were part of the program's Golden Era pic.twitter.com/SKj1s4EEiI
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) April 7, 2021
Here is what Arizona softball coach Mike Candrea had to say:
UA softball coach Mike Candrea on Arizona parting ways with Sean Miller: "I don't know all the details, so I'm not going to try to comment, but I'm gonna miss the guy. I really loved his passion. He was a player's coach and he did a lot for this program." pic.twitter.com/4ycytRG793
— Ryan Kelapire (@RKelapire) April 7, 2021