Archie Miller Fired After Four Seasons As Indiana Basketball Coach

March 15, 2021 Dustin Dopirak IUBB 0

Archie Miller has been fired after four seasons at Indiana, according to a source close to the department. Jeff Goodman of Stadium reported the news first.

The Hoosiers failed to make the NCAA Tournament in Miller’s fourth year, finishing 12-15 with six straight losses to end the season. Miller was 67-56 in his four years at the helm with a 33-43 record in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers were 20-12 in the 2019-20 season and would have made the NCAA Tournament had the event not been cancelled. They didn’t make it in any of his other three seasons.

Miller is owed a buyout of approximately $10.35 million — 100 percent of his remaining salary with three years still remaining on his seven-year contract.

UPDATE: Indiana released a statement confirming the firing. The important upshot is that IU athletic director Scott Dolson says the buyout and transitional cost will be paid through private donations. The statement follows:

STATEMENT FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS SCOTT DOLSON

“As the Director of Athletics, I wanted to wait until the conclusion of the season before evaluating the leadership of our men’s basketball program. 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. 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. 

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. We worked to secure the necessary private support following my recommendation to President McRobbie, ensuring that there would be no charges to the university budget.

Indiana Basketball has a long, rich history of success that dates back generations. 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.

While I will not establish a formal search committee, I will consult within the University and with trusted experts in the state and around the country as I seek out and recruit a new coach. The work to find the next leader of Indiana Basketball will begin immediately, and I will seek a chief executive that I can partner with to reestablish the brand and national presence of Indiana Basketball.”