cincinnati Men’s basketball coach Wes Miller has been fired after five seasons, sources tell ESPN.
The Bearcats failed to go to the NCAA Tournament in any of Miller’s five seasons, finishing the season with an 18–15 record.
The Bearcats recovered from a disappointing start to the season by winning seven of nine games to catapult themselves into NCAA Tournament consideration. But in a must-win matchup against UCF in the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday, they blew an eight-point lead in the final two minutes and ultimately lost in overtime. 66-65.
Miller was appointed to replace John Brannan in 2021 after a successful 10-year tenure UNC Greensborowhere he won at least 21 games in each of his final five seasons and led the Spartans to three regular season championships and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
After going 18–15 in his first season in Cincinnati, Miller received a two-year contract extension just 20 months into his tenure. They went 23-13 in 2022-23 and 22-15 in 2023-24 but missed the NCAA Tournament both seasons.
The Bearcats entered last season with high expectations, being ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP poll and rising to No. 14 after a 10–1 start. But they went just 7-13 in Big 12 play and were once again on the wrong side of the bubble.
Miller still has three years left on his contract, which states he is owed $9.9 million if he is fired before March 31, 2026, and $4.69 million if he is fired on or after April 1.
Miller is the son of Kenneth D. Miller, whose name is on the Wake Forest athletic facility. After starting his college career at James Madison, Miller transferred to North Carolina to play for Roy Williams and won a national championship with the Tar Heels in 2005.
