Arizona changes Sean Miller’s contract to include threat of $1 million penalty for major NCAA violation

Arizona basketball is further protecting itself in the case of its current men’s head coach, Sean Miller, committed or will commit any major NCAA violations. According to the Arizona Daily Star, the Arizona Board of Regents approved an amendment to Miller’s current contract (which ends in 2021-22), that “adds the threat of a $1 million penalty for wrongdoing.”

In March, Miller denied any wrongdoing after allegation from an FBI college basketball probe alleged he paid top recruit Deandre Ayton $100,000. He remains the team’s head coach.

“While I have done nothing wrong,” said Miller according to the Arizona Desert Storm. “I am responsible for our men’s basketball program and I am sickened that we are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

“Contrary to what has been written this past week, we do our very best to run a clean program at the University of Arizona. I have done that since the first day I stepped on this campus. Compliance with NCAA rules is extremely important to us and we work hard to create, maintain, and monitor a culture of compliance within our program. I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program.

“I have never paid a recruit or a 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.

“I also understand that there is an ongoing federal investigation. And because of this, I cannot do anything that might compromise the integrity of this investigation. However, on this point, I cannot remain silent in light of media reports that have impugned the reputation of me, the University, and sullied the name of a tremendous young man, Deandre Ayton.

The major NCAA violations Arizona is better protecting itself from, known as Level 1 violations, are considered “severe breaches of conduct” by the NCAA.

Here’s how the NCAA defines them:

Violations that seriously undermine or threaten the integrity of the NCAA collegiate model as set forth in the constitution and bylaws, including any violation that provides or is intended to provide a substantial or extensive recruiting, competitive or other advantage, or a substantial or extensive impermissible benefit.

After Miller agreed to the new terms of his contract, University of Arizona president Robert Robbins sent words of praise, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

“I’m appreciative to Coach Miller for stepping up and putting some skin in this,” Robbins said. “He put his money where his mouth was. We support Coach Miller through a very difficult time and we look forward to him having great success and being our coach for a long time.”

Miller’s Wildcats were upset in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, and have a lot of rebuilding to after three of the team’s top players, including Ayton, declared for the NBA Draft.