Cincinnati Bearcats Seek New Basketball Coach

Top 3 candidates emerge to replace Wes Miller after 5 seasons without NCAA Tournament berth

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:24pm

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The University of Cincinnati has dismissed men's basketball head coach Wes Miller after five seasons, ending a tenure that failed to produce an NCAA Tournament appearance despite early expectations for the program.

Why it matters

Cincinnati is one of the most prominent college basketball programs in the Midwest, with a rich history and passionate fan base. The search for a new head coach will be closely watched as the Bearcats look to return to national prominence and compete for conference and NCAA titles.

The details

Miller was hired in 2021 with the goal of reviving the Bearcats' fortunes, but the team struggled to gain traction and never made the NCAA Tournament field during his time as head coach. Cincinnati has now begun the process of identifying top candidates to take over the program and lead it back to success.

  • Wes Miller was hired as Cincinnati's head coach in 2021.
  • Miller's five-year tenure as head coach ended on March 13, 2026 when he was dismissed by the university.

The players

Wes Miller

Former head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team, who was dismissed after five seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

University of Cincinnati

A prominent Midwest college basketball program with a rich history, seeking a new head coach to lead the team back to national prominence.

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful for Wes Miller's efforts over the past five years, but it's clear we need new leadership to get this program back on track and competing at the highest level.”

— John Cunningham, Athletic Director, University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati Enquirer)

What’s next

The University of Cincinnati athletic department has formed a search committee to identify and evaluate potential candidates to become the next head coach of the men's basketball team. The new head coach will be expected to quickly rebuild the program and lead the Bearcats back to the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Cincinnati's storied basketball program has fallen short of expectations in recent years, and the search for a new head coach represents a critical juncture for the university to reclaim its place among the nation's elite college basketball programs.