Miller mentioned as '09 AZ candidate

[Mr. Neutral]

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/200 ... 958129.txt

Arizona might pursue Pitt's Dixon

By Eric Hall, Times Sports Staff
Published: Saturday, October 25, 2008 12:17 AM EDT

If Arizona offered its men’s basketball head-coaching job to Jamie Dixon after the upcoming season, the Pitt coach may consider it, sources indicated Friday.

But the likelihood that Dixon would accept that offer would be slim, according to the sources.

Arizona replaced Olson, the longtime Wildcat coach who retired Thursday at age 74, with interim coach Russ Pennell, a former Arizona State assistant. Arizona athletic director Jim Livingood said Friday that a national coaching search would start soon, but he indicated that there would not be a hire until after the season.

Last month, Dixon signed a three-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season. He is reportedly making $1.5 to 1.6 million (his actual salary was not released by the school, though he made $1.3 million as the university’s highest-paid employee before the extension). The amount of Dixon’s buyout clause is also unclear.

Olson reportedly made $1.1 million per year.

The relationship between Dixon and Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson, who initiated the extension talks, may be the main reason Dixon would stay at Pitt. The success and national respect garnered by the Panthers program could also keep Dixon in Pittsburgh.

Dixon, along with Memphis’ John Calipari, a Moon Township native, Xavier’s Sean Miller, a Blackhawk and Pitt grad, and Gonzaga’s Mark Few are among the top names rumored to be considered for the job.

[Wisexuowl]

Ho Hum!

[klark]

As he probably will be with every other opening in the power conferences.

[Shadow]

Tucson is a nice area but it ain't that nice in the summer.

[xcellent]

As of right now, this is not a desirable job. I was listening to the radio, and they were saying that Arizona only has about 8 players on the team now, with a bunch who would be leaving next year. To make matters worse, they have lost all their recruits for next year. This is turning out to be like IU's issues. I know that Lute made this program what it is, but he did a great job of wrecking it because he retired when he did.

[Mr. Neutral]

http://www.zagsblog.net/2008/10/27/trio ... -decommit/

Adam Zagoria has Miller as one of the top two candidates, with Dixon in the #3-4 group.