Among Arizona's many team mottos over the years the one that stands out Thursday is "all in" and that is exactly how the program and the school will move forward after a statement read by head coach Sean Miller refuting a recent report from ESPN that accused the ninth-year UA coach of having a conversation with an employee of Andy Miller's ASM Sports sports agency, Christian Dawkins.
The conversation, ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach wrote last Friday, was centered around a $100,000 payment to be made to Arizona star freshman power forward Deandre Ayton. ESPN has issued numerous corrections as there were discrepancies in the timeline of the report, which has now been refuted by several different outlets including Sports Illustrated. Dawkins was one of 10 men arrested back in September when the FBI's investigation into corruption in college basketball went public.
Arizona called an emergency press conference hours before the 19th-ranked Wildcats were set to take the floor Thursday against Stanford on a night UA has the chance secure the Pac-12 Conference regular season title.
It turned out to be less of a press conference and simply a chance for Miller to read a prepared statement in front of reporters and cameras denying any wrongdoing in regards to Ayton and discrediting what was written in ESPN's original report.
"I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program,” Miller said. “I have never paid a recruit or prospect, or their family or representative to come to Arizona. I never have and I never will. I have never arranged or directed payment or any improper benefits to a recruit or prospect, or their family or representative, and I never will."
Miller will coach his team Thursday night after missing Saturday's game against Oregon, an overtime loss to the Ducks, along with several practices this week. Associate head coach Lorenzo Romar, who is in his first season with the program after heading up Washington for the last 15 years, took over Miller's duties in the UA head coach's absence from the team.
Miller said Thursday that he is looking forward to returning to the McKale Center floor to guide his help try and guide his team to another Pac-12 Conference regular season title.
"I now intend to turn my focus to basketball and our players and this team," Miller said at the closing of his statement.
Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke and president Robert C. Robbins were present at a special meeting of the Arizona Board of Regents to discuss Miller and his multi-year contract with the university.
Robbins and Heeke released a joint statement Thursday afternoon confirming that Miller will coach the Wildcats in the game against Stanford as well as the rest of the season after the findings of its investigation into the matter turned up no violations of NCAA rules.
"Earlier this week, we met with Coach Miller at length and asked him direct and pointed questions," the statement said. "He was eager to speak with us and answered every question we asked. At this time we have no reason to believe that Coach Miller violated NCAA rules or any laws regarding the allegation reported in the media. Additionally, he has a record of compliance with NCAA rules, and he has been cooperative with this process.
"While some might be tempted to rush to judgment when there is intense public pressure, due process is the bedrock of fair treatment and acting with integrity. With that in mind, we will continue to pursue every avenue of inquiry available to us during an active federal investigation to fully understand the facts. We recognize that investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to be respectful and cooperative through its conclusion.
"Steptoe & Johnson continues its investigation into our athletics compliance, and we will carefully review and act on its conclusions. We anticipate this report will be thorough and based on facts."
ABOR chair Bill Ridenour, a UA alum, also released a statement after Thursday's meeting citing the need for his group to work based on facts over "conjecture" in this matter.
"As the governing body of Arizona’s public universities, ABOR is committed to doing everything possible to uphold the integrity of the institutions we oversee," Ridenour wrote. "This pledge extends to collegiate athletic programs, which must adhere to the high standards established by each university. Basketball is a beloved sport at the University of Arizona and throughout Arizona. The integrity of our institutions cannot be compromised."
The Wildcats will host Stanford at McKale Center Thursday night with tip set for 8 p.m. MST as Miller will make his return to the sideline.
