Archie Miller
The University of Arizona men’s basketball coaching staff is complete. And it will be Miller times two.
Sean Miller’s younger brother, Archie, 31, has joined his brother’s coaching staff.
Archie Miller brings seven years of coaching and administrative experience to his brother’s staff, including the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State under Thad Matta.
He was elevated to Matta’s top assistant in 2008-09, when the Buckeyes posted a 22-11 record, were the runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for me for several reasons,” Archie Miller said. “One, to be able to coach at Arizona. Two, to be able to coach with my brother, and, three, to have an opportunity to continue to do something special with this exceptional program. It takes a lot to walk away from a place like Ohio State, and this is it,” he said.
Miller’s hiring completes his brother’s staff at Arizona, where he took over April 7. Late last week Sean Miller brought two assistants from his staff at Xavier University, James Whitford and Emmanuel Richardson, to UA.
Archie Miller played basketball at North Carolina State, where he ranks second in school history in career 3-pointers (218) and free-throw percentage (.846).
He helped the Wolfpack reach the 2002 NCAA Tournament and also was an assistant to Herb Sendek at Arizona State in 2006-07.
“Archie is one of the most talented assistant coaches in college basketball,” Sean Miller said. “His playing experience in the ACC, coupled with his coaching in the Pac-10, Big Ten and ACC, allows him to connect with people at all levels. He has a total understanding of the game and will be a tremendous asset with our on-court and off-the-court coaching activities.
“There were two key elements in putting this staff together. The first was familiarity with our system and style of play, and familiarity with me as a coach. The second was that each of these guys can totally relate to young players, to our outstanding Wildcat alumni and to the Tucson community. When you have those two things in place, good things usually follow.”
It’s unclear what the status is of UA assistant Reggie Geary, who was handling recruiting for the Wildcats before Sean Miller was hired.
Geary stayed on the UA staff after interim coach Russ Pennell left at the end of the season. Geary had hoped to become an assistant with Miller’s staff.
Geary said he’s looking into some opportunities but wouldn’t be specific.
NOTABLE: Recruit Solomon Hill has signed a letter of intent to play for the Wildcats this fall, according to a text he sent to the Tucson Citizen.
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SEAN MILLER VS. ARCHIE MILLER
As coaches
Age 40 31
Current UA head UA asst.
Previous Xavier head Ohio St. asst.
NCAAs* 4 (as head) 2
* At previous school
> Did you know? Both played for their dad, Jim Miller, at Beaver Falls (Pa.) Blackhawk High School. Sean coached Archie at N.C. State when Sean was an assistant there under Herb Sendek. Archie also coached under Sendek at ASU from 2006-07.
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As players
College Pitt N.C. State
When* 1987-92 1997-2002
Position G G
Height 6-1 5-10
Games 128 122
PPG 10.0 7.7
APG 5.8 2.0
FT% 88.5 84.6
FG% 43.0 42.4
3PT% 41.6 42.8
NCAA bids 3 1
* Both sat out a season with injury.