Arizona's Miller: 'I am not a candidate' for Pitt job

Arizona's Sean Miller denied his reported interest in the vacant Pitt head coaching job, after it was reported he'd discussed the position with the Panthers and was open to returning to his alma mater.

"I am not a candidate for the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball head coaching vacancy," Miller said in a statement. "I wish them well in their search for a new coach."

Miller, who played point guard at Pitt from 1987-92 and was an assistant coach with the program from 1995-96, is coming off a tumultuous season at Arizona, prompting rumors the two parties could be ready for a divorce.

Though he led the Wildcats to a third straight Pac-12 title this year, Arizona was upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament by Buffalo, marking another postseason disappointment for the team under Miller. His name has also been linked to the ongoing FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball.

With Miller out of the frame, the Panthers' coaching search will likely zoom back in on Dan Hurley of Rhode Island. A Tuesday report said Pitt had extended a lucrative offer to Hurley, who's also being targeted by UConn.

Whoever Pitt hires will need to fill out a roster set to lose nine players to transfers and another four to graduation.

Miller owns a 367-120 career coaching record, split between stints at Arizona or Xavier. He's never reached a Final Four.