March 22, 2007

CINCINNATI, OH - Xavier associate vice president and athletic birector Mike Bobinski announced today that the University and head men's basketball coach Sean Miller have agreed to an extended contract that will run through the 2015-16 season. The 38-year-old Miller, who had a six-year contract when he was hired on July 8, 2004, had an additional year added following the 2004-05 season that extended his deal through the 2010-11 season.

"We had a great conversation today and discussed our mutual desire to solidify Sean's leadership role within our men's basketball program," said Bobinski. "Xavier wanted to communicate clearly to Sean how pleased we are with his leadership of this very visible component of the University. Our agreement is a comprehensive one that is designed to ensure that Sean and the entire program will have the continued ability to compete at the highest level of Division I basketball."

"I would like to thank (University President) Father Michael Graham, (Administrative Vice President) John Kucia, Mike Bobinski and the entire Xavier University community for this tremendous opportunity, "said Miller. "I am very excited and look forward to continuing to lead our basketball program to greater success in our future together."

Xavier finished 25-9 overall this season in Miller's third year as the Xavier University head coach, raising his career record to 63-32 (.663). Xavier, which enjoyed its second straight 20-win season, won the 2007 Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Championship and advanced to the second round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Miller finished 21-11 in the 2005-06 season, winning the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship and earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Miller was certainly no stranger to the Xavier program or its players prior to taking over as head coach in 2004. Miller, who replaced Thad Matta, was Matta's right hand man the previous three seasons as XU's first-ever associate head coach. Miller helped XU record three straight 26-win seasons and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances that culminated in the 2004 "Elite Eight" run.

It's no surprise that Xavier enjoyed more late season success under Miller this season. In fact, since he came to Xavier for the 2001-02 season, Xavier has recorded a 29-9 (.763) record for the month of March, an impressive record that is second only to Kansas in all of NCAA Division I.

Miller came to Xavier after coaching stops at North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, Miami (Ohio) and Wisconsin. Miller has now coached on 12 teams that have advanced to postseason play in his first 15 seasons as a head coach, an assistant or an associate head coach. That now includes five NCAA Tournaments in his six years at Xavier.