After 12 seasons, Miller out as Arizona hoops coach

Arizona had stuck by basketball 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 would serve as interim head coach.

“We’re evaluating the overall position of the program, and that includes on-court and offcourt elements,” Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said. “When you step back and evaluate where the program is, we have incredibly high standards to have success on and off the court. We evaluated it and we decided at this time it’s the appropriate time to make a change so we can restore and rebuild the overall status of this worldclass basketball program.”

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

PAXTON ON INJURED LIST

The Mariners placed former Yankee James Paxton on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a forearm strain in his pitching arm.

Paxton left his last start in the second inning after just 24 pitches, grimacing after throwing a 92 mph fastball to Andrew Vaughn. It was the first start of his second stint with Seattle.

HORSE RACING HALL OF FAMER CHANDLER DIES

Alice Headley Chandler, who founded Mill Ridge Farm and built a Hall of Fame career as a breeder of champion racing thoroughbreds, has died. She was 95.

Chandler, a Lexington native, held leadership roles with numerous thoroughbred organizations including the Breeders’ Cup and nearby Keeneland race course, where she was on its board of directors for 23 years.

CANUCKS DOWN 25 MEN

The Vancouver Canucks said 25 players and coaches have tested positive in a COVID-19 outbreak involving a variant of the virus.

The team said Wednesday that 21 players, including three from the taxi squad, and four members of the coaching staff have tested positive, and one other player is considered a close contact.

“This is a stark reminder of how quickly the virus can spread and its serious impact, even among healthy, young athletes,” the team said in a statement.

All players and staff are in quarantine.