Miller’s ‘answers’ won’t squelch State speculation

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WRAL’s Ken Medlin summarized it perfectly…

Miller took the middle ground — he didn’t deny interest, and he didn’t make a play for the job.

In this article, the N&O’s Luke DeCock attempts to break down the different angles of the

But State fans looking for a glimmer of hope will see one there. And maybe there is one. It was an odd moment. If Miller wanted to send a message, that’s how he would have done it. Who knows?
Earlier, while discussing Arizona’s tradition, Miller referred to himself in a somewhat odd way, given the rumors swirling around.

“You look at the history and tradition of our program under coach (Lute) Olson, players, teams, we take a backseat to nobody,” Miller said. “I happen to be the coach right now, and we’ll see where we go. We’re proud of going 29-7 on the year.”

DeCock says that ‘State fans looking for a glimmer of hope will see one there’.

Actually, I don’t have to see a glimmer of hope there. I don’t have to read anything into Sean Miller’s comments as what Sean Miller does NOT said speaks volumes. It doesn’t require a translator to interpret silence.

Sean Miller has been phenomenally consistent since the day the NC State job officially opened — he has consistently NOT made a public statement disavowing interest in the NC State job. No matter how many ways you want to slice it and wish it away…he has been given multiple opportunities to lay the issue to rest and he has not once taken the opportunity to do so.

That hasn’t stopped everyone other than Sean Miller from chiming in for him. Last week, Miller’s Athletics Director, Greg Byrne, (who kinda comes across as a douche) tweeted that Sean would have no interest in the NC State job. TWEETED it, no less. Great job, Greg!!! That will put it to rest. Nothing like coming our strong in a forum where nobody can ask you a question and proclaiming that there would be no more talk about Sean leaving for other jobs! Way to put that behind you.

Elsewhere, brainiacs in the media have been quick to proclaim that Miller would not be interested in NC Sate. Moron fans who couldn’t tell you David Thompson from Fred Thompson can’t fathom the thought. Heck, The Sporting News‘ Mike DeCourcy even interviewed someone who may have once landed at the Phoenix airport (two hours away from Tucson) who has said that Sean Miller will not be interested.

Yet, SEAN MILLER HAS NOT SAID HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE HEAD COACHING JOB AT NC STATE.

Why do you think that is?

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92 Responses to Miller’s ‘answers’ won’t squelch State speculation

  1. Tuffy2 03/24/2011 at 12:14 PM #

    I hope I’m wrong but I just don’t think SM will come to State. Yes, SM and RB were going to come or had great interest in us in 2006 and we flushed that down the drain with LF but, we should understand that we might just land a gem in a lesser name coach.

  2. Texpack 03/24/2011 at 12:39 PM #

    All you can ask for in these situations is for the search to be conducted thoroughly and professionally. I’m not concerned about that at all with DY in charge. Anyone who has ever hired people realizes what an inexact science it really is. Once you get past guys with multiple years of successful (major conf) D1 head coaching experience it will become a crap shoot to some extent. For that reason, I really believe that DY has a “Plan B” candidate out there who fits that description. Her worst case hire has to be somebody who can stabilize the program and turn it into a consistent NCAA Tourney participant. I think she has someone she likes, who has expressed strong interest, that is above the mid major level.

  3. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/24/2011 at 1:20 PM #

    “Yes, Miller originally turned down AZ, then re-considered.”

    Didn’t Miller also leave State then come back. Seems like I can remember him leaving then coming back for Archie’s senior year. Then it seemed like he took another job then tried to come back but there wasn’t a spot left. I’m sure my memory isn’t clear but seems like he went back and forth a few times when at State.

  4. Howler 03/24/2011 at 1:43 PM #

    As far as how a coach will feel knowing that he was picked as #7 on the list, the goal is not to let anyone know where they are in order of preference. That is what LF screwed up the last time, and I believe it is what DY is doing correctly this time. We’ll never know most of the “making sausage” part of this process, and that is a good thing.

  5. wufpaxno1 03/24/2011 at 2:00 PM #

    Guypack, I understand your logic and don’t completely disagree, but when you break it down into percentages it makes much more sense to go for a name coach, a proven commodity, at least initially. Look at our last four hires, Valvano, Robinson, Sendeck, and Lowe; three from mid majors and one from desperation. One of these three achieved a level of success worth remembering, 1 of 4 or 25%. Explain to me how 25% is better than odds of success at from 50-100% with a know and proven commodity.

    I think that Debbie is going about this the right way, keep everything behind closed doors, go for the home run hire and if that does not pan out reach out to the top Mid Major coaches, Marshall, Smart, or Stevens while keeping it all out of sight until the new coach is announced.

    I would be very happy with Miller or any of the above mentioned and am more than happy to be patient while waiting for the right hire, which I am confident we will achieve. If nothing else, Debbie has a proven track record when hiring coaches.

  6. Wolfy__79 03/24/2011 at 2:00 PM #

    now i’ve both read and listened to SM’s statements. i don’t read too much into anything right now.. i know a professional person would not budge on any other subject in respect to his/her team winning in the ncaas. so all we can do is speculate with this. but, if we’re to get him… now is just as good of a time as any.

  7. Chucks Chesticles 03/24/2011 at 2:13 PM #

    I know from several past players who still have contact with Archie that there has been “talk” of coming back to the east coast. This is before Sidney was let go. Who knows what will happen. I’m just glad DY is running things.

  8. LarryWorsley 03/24/2011 at 4:30 PM #

    Fellow Wolfpackers –

    I think all the speculation is interesting, and I admit I check the blogs two or three times a day, but at this point I think this is what we DO know –

    nothing
    absolutely nothing

    We don’t know –

    1 – Who really, truly is on DY’s list
    2 – Who she (or the committee, or search firm) has contacted (if anyone)
    3 – Who (if anyone) has turned us down

    And all that is good!

    I think a week from now we may know something, so we all need to be very patient, and realize that potential coaches, or their handlers, will be checking the blogs too.

    Here’s to a renewed period of great Wolkpack Basketball in the near future!

  9. Wolfy__79 03/24/2011 at 4:50 PM #

    i second!

  10. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/24/2011 at 5:50 PM #

    If SM leaves Arizona does Arizona gamble and promote Archie? I saw one article that seemed to indicate that he is close to the players.

  11. choppack1 03/24/2011 at 5:55 PM #

    I still think Miller is a longshot – probably a longer one than Barnes.

    But as it is w/ any major coach – it won’t be about money. We’ll have to offer him a lot, but he either will really want to get out of ‘Zona – or want to come back to Raleigh.

    Heck, unfortunately for us, he could still want both of those things, but feel squeamish about leaving after 2 years.

  12. ryebread 03/24/2011 at 5:58 PM #

    choppack: I’d love to be proven wrong, but I tend to agree. I don’t think we’re getting Miller. I think a lot of that has to do with timing.

  13. Wolfy__79 03/24/2011 at 6:06 PM #

    seeing how successful SM is so far..i can only imagine that archie will be a tough coach one day too! i could see if we get sm that archie takes on the hc responsibilities.. but?? all this has to play out… who we pulling for tonight!!?? i think arizona can knock duke out..

  14. BJD95 03/24/2011 at 6:28 PM #

    OK, I’ve walked back my Shaka Smart freakout and have re-committed my confidence in DY’s master plan. I don’t know who the coach will be, but everyone who has any info notes how masterful a job she’s doing.

    Personally, I can’t wait to tell the Jeff Goodmans, Andy Katzes, and Mike DeCourcys of the world to kiss my ass. Hell, all of our asses!!

    You can bet that if SM comes here, AZ will get Pastner. Don’t see them going the Arch route. Maybe Arch to VCU when Shaka Smart goes to TN?

  15. HPWolf 03/24/2011 at 6:41 PM #

    I”m starting to get a good feeling about SM. Its no secret he likes the ACC and the east coast. He is a very smart guy and he has to be asking himself “I”m in my 40’s, if not now, when?” If he does’nt take the job now when will a GOOD ACC job come available again. Its now or never. The fact that he has been in AZ only 2 years isn’t a factor.

  16. eas 03/24/2011 at 7:10 PM #

    I think it is plain and simple for SM. If he wants to be in the ACC and the east coast he will take the job. Roy and K are here for many more years and there isn’t many other ACC schools who could offer what we have (although Wake will be in the market soon). I think it will be wear he wants his family to live in the end. He may be waiting for Dixon to jump ship and head to the NE.

    MONEY is not the factor for SM because AZ can pay him what we can and we can pay what AZ can. So either way he is getting serious coin from this deal. I just hope he chooses to spend it in Raleigh.

  17. 61Packer 03/24/2011 at 7:42 PM #

    An article I saved from the March 12, 1980 News & Observer was titled “Duke hires Army coach”, and after a few brief paragraphs about the new hire last night, another headline directly below it was titled “State on hold for new coach”.

    Wolfpack AD Willis Casey said that it would take a little time and that they were searching for an established head coach at a major college basketball program. The frontrunner was believed to be Jack Hartman of Kansas State, and two other names mentioned were Jim Valvano of Iona and Jim Young of Rutgers. Also mentioned was Lee Rose of Purdue (who took UNC-Charlotte to the 1977 Final Four). Seemingly ruled out were Eddie Biedenbach and Les Robinson, who lacked the major college experience being sought.

    Interestingly enough, however, State’s first choice, Morgan Wootten of De Matha High in DC, had already turned down the job.

    Regardless, it’s been 31 years since we’ve made a good basketball hire. We’re way, way overdue.

  18. Wulfpack 03/24/2011 at 8:19 PM #

    Archie is going to need to prove himself at a mid-major if he wants to be a head coach. If Sean leaves for NCSU, UA has Pastner in the bag – that is common knowledge.

    If Sean comes to Raleigh, I hope Dixon turns out to be a lifer at Pitt.

  19. Lunatic Fringe 03/24/2011 at 8:46 PM #

    SM may not be coming to NC State, but it is great to see GSwaim giving the Zona fans the business.

  20. gtspack 03/24/2011 at 9:35 PM #

    I want SM, but I don’t think it will happen. No one will agree with me on this but I think Archie is ready. He has been around Thad Matta and SM, he has to know how to recruit and coach. I just don’t want to be saying 4 years from now, wish we had gotten Archie when we had a chance.

  21. choppack1 03/24/2011 at 9:50 PM #

    gtspack – if we miss out on Archie it means one of 3 things:

    A) The guy we hired was very well.

    B) Archie got a huge job and turned it into a dynasty.

    C) A and B

    I’ll put it this way, if this next hire is anyone but Sean Miller and it doesn’t work out – it’s likely he’ll have his chance.

  22. gtspack 03/24/2011 at 10:09 PM #

    If it’s SM or AM it would be there last job until they decide to retire.

  23. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/24/2011 at 10:12 PM #

    Lenny Wertz

  24. gtspack 03/24/2011 at 10:18 PM #

    So the Coach K and SM rivarly begins. I hope

  25. Boyd 03/24/2011 at 10:24 PM #

    Greg Swaim is reporting that we’ve offered Sean Miller $3.5MM + Big Incentives for a LONG contract. Hopefully he’s not just blowing smoke.

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