KEY POINTS
- The University of Cincinnati has dismissed head basketball coach Wes Miller following an 18–15 season.
- The decision comes after a five-year tenure where the Bearcats failed to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.
- While reports indicate a “firing,” the university will likely not make the move official until April 1 to reduce a $9.9 million buyout to approximately $4.7 million.
Cincinnati’s attempt to return to national prominence under Wes Miller came to an end on Friday, following a meeting between the coach and Athletic Director John Cunningham. The move follows a heartbreaking 66–65 overtime loss to UCF in the Big 12 Tournament, which effectively ended the Bearcats’ hopes for an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Miller, who was hired in 2021 to revitalize the program following a successful run at UNC Greensboro, departs with a 100–74 overall record. Despite maintaining a winning record and achieving ninth place on the school’s all-time wins list, his inability to reach the “Big Dance”—a drought that has now lasted seven years for the program—proved to be the deciding factor for the administration.
The timing of the announcement is tied to a specific financial clause in Miller’s contract. By waiting until the beginning of the new month, Cincinnati can save over $5 million in buyout obligations. Multiple reports from CBS Sports and ESPN indicate that while the decision is final, the “official” paperwork will be processed after the April 1st deadline.
During his tenure, Miller guided the program through its transition from the American Athletic Conference (AAC) to the highly competitive Big 12. However, the team struggled against top-tier opponents, posting an 11–47 record against Quad 1 teams. Fan frustration had reached a peak in early 2026 as the team struggled with offensive efficiency and several close losses to local rivals.
The search for a successor has already begun, with several high-profile names linked to the vacancy. Jerrod Calhoun, a Cincinnati alumnus currently leading a successful program at Utah State, has emerged as an early “Option A” for the Bearcats. Other potential candidates include Bryan Hodgson of South Florida and veteran coaches with established tournament resumes.
The University of Cincinnati remains a historic basketball powerhouse with 34 NCAA Tournament appearances. The administration’s move signals a desire to return to that standard immediately. For Miller, the exit marks a difficult end to a tenure he defended as being built on a “sustainable” foundation during his final press conference.
