Letters: Star readers fans split on embattled Arizona coach Sean Miller

When I heard the story about money being offered over the weekend, I was quick to write a letter urging the U of A to fire Sean Miller. Now as the facts of the story seem more confusing every day, I wonder whether I acted in haste. I have no idea whether such a conversation took place, but I fear that a good man has been labeled prematurely guilty before all the relevant facts are known.

I want to offer my apology to Coach Miller for jumping to an unsupported conclusion and I hope that he will be found innocent of all accusations. Even if that's the case, I suspect Sean Miller will still be perceived as guilty by many in the media as well as some in the community at large. It's truly a shame that we can't wait until all the facts are known before judging another human being.

Charles Schultz

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

On February 24, Greg Hansen wrote that Sean Miller should not be allowed to coach at UA. Certainly, if Miller did what he is accused of, Hansen is right. If Miller did not and he and his family have been subjected to a nightmare of false accusations, what should be Greg Hansen’s fate? Writing as judge and jury before facts are presented is more than irresponsible. Has Greg Hansen heard the alleged taped conversation? If he has, that would be news. If Sean Miller paid $100,000 to secure a player, he should be fired and I bet even Miller would agree with that. If Hansen is wrong, he is wrong in a very big way and there should be consequences related to his job.

Hank Peck

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

The recent events surrounding Arizona’s men’s basketball program have created for Tucson, Wildcat fans and the U of A community, an enormous outpouring of condemnation and conviction. Two respected ESPN analyst/commentators, as well as our own highly-regarded Daily Star sports writer have called for head coach Sean Miller’s firing. While there is evidence of stupid actions on the part of now-terminated Book Richardson, we know only that Miller may be implicated in that bribery scheme.

Yahoo News has scooped media outlets with its supposed expose of FBI wiretap conversations, but primarily with innuendo and little substance. Miller’s greatest crime may be naiveté in his dealings with the becoming-infamous sports agent Christian Dawkins. Is it not likely the REAL BAD GUY in all this is Dawkins, a shady and manipulative behind-the-scenes player looking to achieve his own financial goals? Are we so pious that we would just “clean house” of our coaching staff for appearances, regardless of actual fact?

Mary Naig

Foothills

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Re: the Feb. 25. article “Ex-Arizona Wildcat Aaron Gordon defends Sean Miller's reported connection to FBI probe”

Are News outlets so anxious to release "gossip" and ruin peoples lives? If the FBI has nothing better to do than wire tap college coaches and then "Leak" information they should be prosecuted! Whats wrong here is, the NCAA and our Universities are the ones who are receiving these Billions of Dollars of TV money off the backs of our "Student Athletes. The Athletes should be treated better and the other two mentioned should investigated!!!

Dennis Schmidt

South Tucson

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Let's not bury Sean Miller just yet, before he has even been diagnosed with a cold. Leaked information from the FBI and NCAA, both of which have proven themselves to be incompetent, should be taken with a grain of salt. Facts are sticky little things, as Reagan said, but let's wait until we get them, if we ever do, to make public decisions. In a free-speech country where a killer can announce his intentions on public media, and then perform the deed without interference, I wouldn't think that a conversation between coaches, agents or salesmen that mentions money, would have any consequence unless it is proven that the money actually changed hands.

Alonzo Trier's suspension is another example of possible incompetence, unless it is revenge.

Vernon Stedronsky

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

The more I think about the Miller thing, the more I have very real doubts.

I don't like paraphrasing. I like precision when it comes to words. If the ESPN writer has listened to the tape then that MIGHT be one thing. I would far prefer that he has read a transcript and/or has a copy of the tape. This whole story might very well be the utmost in irresponsible reporting. ESPN doesn't have enough money to pay a judgement for libel if what I strongly suspect is true.

WHERE'S THE TAPE?? How did the ESPN reporter get access to it? Or did he? Has he read a verbatim and authenticated transcript?

What's the date of the tape? One news report says June,2017. Strange. Ayton committed in November 2016, 8 months previous.

I'm not saying that Miller is innocent. But, I do still believe that he is innocent until proven guilty, and I'm not convinced the evidence of that really exists or the story credible.

Arthur Balbirer

Bethlehem, Conn.

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

After much thought on the college basketball scandal , I keep coming back to the self- imposed pressure the "one - and done" climate must have on coaches : Bending the recruiting rules to the point of criminal activity to secure top players for one year of service . I certainly don't condone such activity (i.e. Sean Miller ?) , however I can understand how coaches are driven to remain competitive knowing the turn over their teams will undergo - as they are only "renting" top players for one to two years max .

P.S. My father (Jim Dunlap - Tucson High / Arizona center 1949 - 1953 ) played under the legendary Fred Enke where ethics , truth and values were ingrained in his teams . Men like this did great things and their pictures adorn the walls of the McKale Center for a reason ... They deserve our continued respect - let's never forget !

Chris Dunlap

Atlanta, Ga.

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

After the initial shock over the Friday night story accusing Sean Miller of payoffs, I sobered up. Who are these unnamed sources? I want to hear the alleged tape. I want to hear from the accusers. Sean says he is innocent. Outside counsel cleared Mr. Ayton. In America today, anybody can accuse anybody else of anything and people take it as gospel. ANY DAY, somebody can do that to you. Based on what? ACCUSATIONS? What is the truth? So many people don't even know what truth is. What's shocking is how many people have thrown Sean and Ayton under the bus based on what? Sean says he's innocent. OK, I want to see him on the sidelines this weekend. And play Ayton, too. If he IS guilty, what difference will it make? Maybe the only good thing to come out from these stories is how NOT to write a contract for coaches. But at this point, I say DRIVE ON, unless proof comes out of wrong doing.

James Gordon Patterson

Phoenix

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Re: the Feb. 24 column "Arizona's program has gone way out of bounds; Miller must go."

I found the Miller's use of the word vindication interesting. It appears that many people don't understand the meaning of the word. It doesn't mean cleared or exonerated. It means that his actions were justifiable and were a proper course of action based on the circumstances involved. Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy had some interesting comments regarding the NCAA and the corrupt system. Alluding to it being racist. I believe that Miller should fight against this corrupt system and expose it for the fraud it is. He is tough enough to do it. I don't have the same level of confidence in the University of Arizona. I suspect they will choose to kowtow to the NCAA and the corrupt system. I hope they will grow a pair and stand up against it.

Gerald McNiece

Foothills

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

I Saw This Coming.

Back in February of 2016 I wrote a letter to you about a confrontation between Coach Miller and player Kaleb Tarczewski during a home game. Coach Miller used extremely vulgar profanity directed at Tarczewski. I said at the time that if the president of the U of A or any employee used those words, they would be fired on the spot. Needless to say my letter was never published. At the time Miller was a popular winning coach.

Why not hold our coaches to a reasonable standard of conduct all the time, not just expose them when things go bad. Perhaps coaches would use more discretion in words and actions if they were accountable all the time.

It will be interesting if this letter gets published or also gets trashed.

Mark Campbell

Green Valley

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

If the accusations are proven correct, then, of course, Sean Miller must go. Until then I wish to go on record that Sean has been a fantastic coach who has garnered the respect of those who have played for him and the coaches and players he has battled with on the floor year after year, as well as the loyal fans who fill McKale night after night ever since he arrived in Tucson.

His father and brother are equally respected for their integrity and good sportsmanship. Sean would never betray that family bond. This must be a tragic mistake. Sean's integrity just could not be compromised as it has been alluded to. The university should be very careful not to rush to judgement. Loyal fans like me are paying close attention.

Jack Walters

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

I am extremely disappointed in columnist Greg Hansen's call for Coach Sean Miller to resign. To do so based on what is basically innuendo is unfair and arbitrary on Mr. Hansen's part. If the facts come out that support the contention that Coach Miller acted in bad faith in dealing with players or agents of course he should be terminated. Until such time let's just follow the facts as they come out.

Coach Miller is to be commended for voluntarily stepping aside from coaching the team at Oregon. Perhaps Mr. Hansen (whom I respect and admire) should step aside himself or disclose the source of his animus toward the UA basketball program. Moreover, Mr. Hansen's subsequent column on coaches who should succeed Coach Miller is offensive in that it assumes guilt not established. Let's just follow the facts, pull for UA in a time of adversity, and see where the facts take us.

Ed Wegener

Oro Valley

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Coach Miller Under Investigation?

Let me get this right-The FBI wire tapped and investigated Coach Miller and The Associated Press released the story.?I don't suppose anyone would blame me if I was really skeptical!

Tom Taylor

Oro Valley

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

I am not a basketball season ticket holder and I do not know Coach Sean Miller. What I do know is that in America we are innocent until PROVEN guilty. So Hansen should stop circling the sharks until there is blood in the water, not rumors of it.

Thom Cope

Marana

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

It seems Greg Hansen’s column declaring Miller Must Go says more about him than about Sean Miller.

Pressure to entertain payola at Miller’s level is incredible. Who among us hasn’t had a temptation that violated everything we believe in? According to Hansen, Miller must be condemned to the outer darkness for simple consideration. If Miller’s phone discussion resulted in him mustering the courage for him NOT to act on it, he may prove to be the man of character we all hope he is. Because thus far that's all we have - discussion, not proof of action.

Hansen’s rush to judgment with little solid proof connects him with the rising tide of those whose new pastime is pronouncement of guilt and scheduling the execution before a single word of defense is uttered by the accused. Hansen may ultimately be correct about Miller. If so, the time for consequences will be then not now.

Randy Ford

Oro Valley

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

#1 - Sean Miller - I agree with the ESPN sportscaster who said, "innocent until proven guilty"!!!

#2 Allonzo Trier - six grains of sand in ten Olympic sized pools - SERIOUSLY!!!

#3 When can the Pac-12 get good - OK, I'd settle for decent - officiating!!!!

Dee Dreyer

North side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

We all thought that the University of Arizona Athletic Department had a creative solution and one that also incentivized staying at UA when an unnamed university benefactor offered to donate $17.68 million worth of stock that could result in multimillion dollar retention bonuses for former athletic director Greg Byrne, former football coach Rich Rodriguez and (what may be former) basketball coach Sean Miller.

The donor's lucrative retention plan was to keep UA's top athletic department employees right here in Tucson. The University calls this donation the "Longevity Fund." Basically, the gift was 500,000 units in a master limited partnership. Of that amount, a block of 175,000 units each was allocated to help in retaining basketball coach Miller and football coach Rich Rodriguez, with another 100,000 was to go to help keep Byrne. The trio would only be eligible for their units in the investment fund if they stayed at UA through May 2020.

Raymond Behnke

SaddleBrooke

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

It has been reported that if Sean Miller leaves, even if fired for cause, he collects $10 million! Who negotiated this contract, and when do they get fired? What has happened to athletics at the Arizona schools bears an investigation by the legislature. Meanwhile, college professors teaching real academic courses are badly under paid. When does this crazy ness stop, and when do the heads start to roll of those who negotiated these athletic contracts?

Robert B. Norgren Sr.

East side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Re: the Feb. 24 column "Arizona's program has gone way out of bounds; Miller must go."

Hansen says, "The school should withdraw from the Pac-12 Tournament and notify the NCAA that it will not participate in the NCAA Tournament", it appears he has no regard for those players and coaches who had nothing to do with this alleged violation.

To take away from the UA players their opportunity to continue toward their goals with UA basketball, even under difficult necessary adjustments, it would seem to associate them with some complicity in this mess created by others.

I would hope Mr Hansen would re-evaluate his position. Perhaps a better one might be to allow them to finish their season and for the NCAA to allow them transfers with immediate eligibility, if desired.

Should UA administration follow Mr Hansen's suggestion, it would seem to be for egos and image salvation, not fairness to the young people not involved in an adult's bad judgement.

Ken Workman

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Re: the Feb. 24 column "Arizona's program has gone way out of bounds; Miller must go."

Of course we will hear again that no one knew. They were all such great guys. The one who really knew escaped to become the AD at Alabama for the big bucks and to avoid the repercussions for what is about to happen to the U of A.

The problems with the football program, the assistant track coach and lawsuit, Now the basketball progam deep into the corruption and result of too much money sloshing around in the recruiting and coaches compensation package. Ten million to walk, sweet deal put together by the guy who is now in Alabama. Wait to see the result when that one bloes up which it surely will. We stopped giving money to the U of A many years ago because of this kind of situation. WISE DECISION

Tom Grissom UA grad '67, '69, '70

Tom Grissom

West side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Re: the Feb. 24 column "Arizona's program has gone way out of bounds; Miller must go."

Greg Hansen's statement that Miller should never coach again is so sanctimonious. Really sickening

William Chappelow

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

When I was a kid growing up in Pittsburgh in the late '50s and early '60s, I followed two sports teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pitt Panthers (the Steelers were mediocre at best). Occasionally, my mom would drive a friend and I down Fifth Avenue, we would climb a steep hill — called Cardiac Hill — to Fitzgerald Field House, home of the Panthers.

If we were really lucky, we'd be chosen as ball boys for certain games. When Sean Miller was hired here, I was delighted to see a fellow Pittsburgher take over the program. I even intended to wear my Pitt sweatshirt to a game and have him autograph it, even though I'm a U of A grad. I never met Coach Miller and now have no desire to do so.

Charles Schultz

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

It is 5:09 AM Saturday, and I sit at the computer reading about the latest scandal in the U of A sports department, awaiting the arrival of the newspaper so that I can see whether the rumors are really "true." I both await it and dread it. "Bad news on the Doorstep." My husband and I have been season ticket holders in football and basketball for almost 50 years, and avid supporters of all things Wildcat even longer, and never have I been so disappointed and sickened at the sports news. We never made it to the Rose Bowl; we can't seem to repeat as national champions, but we still support with our money and our presence.

No more.

Carol Hicks

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.