Arizona’s Sean Miller not with team on Monday amid FBI scandal

Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller did not coach his team Saturday following reports concerning details of an FBI investigation and that gap away from his team continued Monday.

Miller was not with the team at its practice Monday, per the Arizona Daily Star’s Bruce Pascoe.

Associate head coach Lorenzo Romar, who coached in place of Miller Saturday, said he is “not with us” and that he was not aware of anything changing regarding Miller’s current standing.

Miller didn’t coach Saturday in Eugene after reports surfaced Friday that he was caught on FBI wiretaps discussing a payment to then-heralded recruit Deandre Ayton, who is now a freshman on the team.

“I continue to fully support the university’s efforts to fully investigate this matter and I am confident that I will be vindicated,” Miller said in a statement Saturday. “For now, my thoughts are with our team.”

Miller did not have his usual weekly media availability on Monday and also would not be having his “Sean Miller Coaches Show,” his weekly radio show.

While Miller wasn’t with the team, Ayton played and he shined, scoring 28 points and grabbing 18 rebounds against Oregon.

Lawyers representing Ayton’s family and another brought on by the university both released statements saying Ayton did not receive any improper benefits.

NCAA president Mark Emmert said over the weekend the decision for Miller to coach and Ayton to play was on the school, not the NCAA.

While further developments have yet to arise following the reports on Friday, Arizona heads into the home stretch of its season. The Wildcats play in Tucson against Stanford on Thursday, California on Saturday and then participate in the Pac-12 Tournament the following week on the eve of Selection Sunday.

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