Arizona parts ways with Miller amid NCAA investigation

Arizona had stuck by coach Sean Miller through an NCAA infractions investigation that stretched nearly four years.

When the school didn’t extend his contract beyond next season, it became clear a decision would need to be made.

The wait came to an end Wednesday when the school announced Miller was leaving after 12 seasons and associate head coach Jack Murphy will serve as interim head coach.

Miller and the Wildcats have been in the NCAA’s crosshairs since being ensnared in a 2017 FBI investigation into shady recruiting practices.

The NCAA issued a Notice of Allegations last year and the case is currently going through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process. Arizona issued a self-imposed postseason ban this year and finished 17-9, 11-9 in the Pac-12.

Miller became the third Wildcats coach to reach 300 wins with the program and went 302-109 in 12 seasons. Arizona reached the Elite Eight three times, won five Pac-12 regular-season titles and three Pac-12 Tournament titles under Miller.

But Arizona failed to reach the Final Four under Miller and had not won an NCAA

Tournament game since reaching the Sweet 16 in 2017. The school said it will honor the final year of Miller’s contract.

Miller routinely pulled in some of the nation’s top recruiting classes after being lured from Xavier in 2009, but his recruiting methods came under scrutiny when assistant coach Emanuel Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.

Jones leaves Penn State for Florida

GAINESVILLE, FLA. » Penn State’s leading scorer is heading to Florida and could be a huge help right away. Guard Myreon Jones announced his commitment to the Gators, joining fellow transfers Brandon McKissic from Kansas City and CJ Felder from Boston College as new additions in Gainesville.

The 6-foot-3 Jones averaged 15.3 points last season and scored in double figures in all but two of the Nittany Lions’ games. He closed the season with 10 consecutive games in double figures and finished as the Big Ten’s 10th-highest scorer.

He shot 39.3 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from 3-point range.

He chose Florida over Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss and others. The Birmingham, Ala. native was the top prospect in the state in 2018.