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Arizona coach Sean Miller appeared on Saturday to be a man whose days are numbered.
Miller, one of the big names in the game trapped in the federal investigation into corruption in college basketball, became moved in a speech in front of the fans after the defeat of his team 72 to 64 at home against Arizona State.
"The fan bases to which we are often compared, the college basketball giants – Kentucky in Rupp Arena, Phog Allen Fieldhouse with Kansas, you can fill the gaps of the other places – but there is no such thing. 39 place that is more magical, "he said to the applause of the crowd of the McKale Center.
"There are no fans in the world who are so loyal, and it has been a great honor to train at the McKale Center over the last 10 years," he said. "Thank you for everything."
ESPN, quoting sources close to the government's testimony, reported in February 2018 that FBI phone tapping had intercepted phone conversations between Miller and Christian Dawkins, a key figure in the corruption investigation. During these calls, Miller talked about paying $ 100,000 to ensure that former star freshman star Deandre Ayton signed with the Wildcats, sources said.
According to people familiar with the FBI's investigation, Miller and Dawkins, a runner working for ASM Sports Agent Andy Miller, have had many conversations about Ayton . When Dawkins asked Sean Miller if he needed to work with assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson to finalize their deal, Miller told Dawkins he should deal directly with him on money, according to the same source .
Richardson, accused of accepting $ 20,000 in bribes to direct Arizona gamblers to certain managers and financial advisers once they became professionals, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy for the purpose of bribery. When he was sentenced to the US District Court in New York on April 24, he was facing 18 to 24 months in prison.
Following Richardson's arrest at the end of September, Arizona President Robert C. Robbins announced that the university had hired two law firms to conduct independent investigations into the case.
Robbins confirmed a statement he made for the first time in October, when he said: "On the basis of the facts we know at the moment, we support coach Miller. "
Miller's contract provides that even if he is fired for cause, the university should pay his base salary. The contract defines his base salary as his salary plus his peripheral salary. That's about $ 10.3 million up to May 2022. The only part that Miller would not be entitled to is $ 1.7 million from Nike and IMG that are up to him. due he completes his contract.
The Wildcats (17-14, 8-10 Pac-12) have struggled throughout the season, leaving them in need of a solid run at next week's Pac-12 tournament just to get make an offer to NIT.
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