3/15/2021

Statement from Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson

“As the Director of Athletics, I wanted to wait until the conclusion of the season before evaluating the leadership of our men’s basketball program. In the days following the completion of our season in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, I have spent a great deal of time evaluating our recruiting, student-athlete development, leadership development, and playing philosophy and strategy. That review, combined with the on-court results, ultimately led me to conclude that a change in leadership of our program is warranted at this time. I shared my assessment with Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, and he accepted my recommendation.

I want to thank Archie Miller, his staff, and their families for their service and commitment to IU and for his unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, the men’s basketball program and Indiana University. We wish Archie and his family all the best in the next steps of their journey. 

Given the university’s very tight financial situation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, private philanthropic funding has been obtained for all transition costs and obligations related to the change in leadership. We worked to secure the necessary private support following my recommendation to President McRobbie, ensuring that there would be no charges to the university budget.

Indiana Basketball has a long, rich history of success that dates back generations. Our five national championships and 22 Big Ten titles make us one of the most accomplished programs in college basketball history. I have high expectations for our program, and we have not competed at a level within the conference or nationally that I believe we should.

While I will not establish a formal search committee, I will consult within the University and with trusted experts in the state and around the country as I seek out and recruit a new coach. The work to find the next leader of Indiana Basketball will begin immediately, and I will seek a chief executive that I can partner with to reestablish the brand and national presence of Indiana Basketball.”

COURTESY INDIANA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

REPORTER’S NOTES

THE 42-year-old Miller just completed his fourth season leading the Hoosiers where the team lost six straight games.

Miller went 67-58 overall and 33-44 in Big Ten play during his regime at Indiana.

The fans were constantly displeased with the fiery Miller. During his time in Bloomington, Indiana, the Hoosiers never finished with a conference record above .500.

Miller was such a hot commodity as the head coach of the Dayton Flyers where he led them to four NCAA Tournaments, two Atlantic 10 Conference titles and upsets of several of college basketball’s top teams. Indiana wanted him so much, that they fired Tom Crean during the 2017 offseason to hire Miller, younger brother of Arizona Wildcats head basketball coach Sean Miller.

The IU top brass apparantly didn’t mind pay Miller the $10.3 to buyout his contract.

On the hardwood, Miller and his staff had some great moments when Indiana beat Florida State and Ohio State. And in 2019, they swept usual Big 10 kingpin Michigan State. As far as recruiting, they were able to get two top State of Indiana prospects in Romeo Langford and Trayce Jackson-Davis, both multi-star basketball players.