Updated March 15th at 2 p.m.
Indiana University fired men’s head basketball coach Archie Miller Monday after four seasons.
The move comes one day after Selection Sunday, when the Hoosiers failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season.
Indiana finished 12-15 overall and 10th in the Big Ten with a 7-12 record. The Hoosiers lost their final six games of the season, including their Big Ten tournament opener to Rutgers.
“In the days following the completion of our season in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, I have spent a great deal of time evaluating our recruiting, student-athlete development, leadership development, and playing philosophy and strategy,” IU athletic director Scott Dolson said in a statement released by the university. “That review, combined with the on-court results, ultimately led me to conclude that a change in leadership of our program is warranted at this time. I shared my assessment with Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, and he accepted my recommendation.
“I want to thank Archie Miller, his staff, and their families for their service and commitment to IU and for his unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, the men's basketball program and Indiana University. We wish Archie and his family all the best in the next steps of their journey.”
Miller finished with a 67-58 record overall and 33-44 in the Big Ten at Indiana. His best season came in 2019-20, when the Hoosiers went 20-12 and were expected to make the NCAA Tournament. However, the NCAA canceled the tournament amid the pandemic.
Miller had three years remaining on the seven-year contract he signed in 2017. The contract called for a buyout of just over $10 million.
Dolson said donors, not the university, will pay the buyout and more.
“Given the university's very tight financial situation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, private philanthropic funding has been obtained for all transition costs and obligations related to the change in leadership,” Dolson said in the statement.
Miller’s teams never finished higher in the Big Ten than a tie for sixth in 2018, his first season. Indiana finished tied for 10th the past two seasons.
Indiana never beat in-state rival Purdue in Miller’s four seasons.
“Indiana Basketball has a long, rich history of success that dates back generations,” said Dolson. “Our five national championships and 22 Big Ten titles make us one of the most accomplished programs in college basketball history. I have high expectations for our program, and we have not competed at a level within the conference or nationally that I believe we should.”
Dolson was a manager on the Hoosiers’ last national championship team in 1987.
He said the university will not establish a formal search committee, but he will consult with the university and “trusted experts in the state and around the country as I seek out and recruit a new coach.”
Original story:
Indiana University Athletic Director Scott Dolson announced Monday that men's basketball coach Archie Miller is out after four seasons.
In a statement, Dolson wrote that a change of leadership within the basketball program is "warranted at this time."
The IU men's record under Miller was 67-58. The team missed the NCAA tournament all four years.
"I have high expectations for our program, and we have not competed at a level within the conference or nationally that I believe we should," Dolson wrote.
Dolson said in the statement that Miller's departure will be fully financed by "private philanthropic support," meaning that IU's budget will not be negatively affected.
Emma Atkinson contributed to this post.
