Cincinnati Dismisses Men's Basketball Coach Wes Miller After 5 Seasons

Miller failed to lead Bearcats to NCAA Tournament during his tenure

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:53pm

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Cincinnati has dismissed men's basketball coach Wes Miller after five seasons with the program. Miller compiled a 100-75 record during his time with the Bearcats but failed to guide the team to the NCAA Tournament, leading to his dismissal. The Bearcats struggled with injuries and off-court issues this past season, finishing 18-15 and failing to make the Big 12 Tournament.

Why it matters

As one of the premier basketball programs in the American Athletic Conference, Cincinnati's inability to reach the NCAA Tournament under Miller's leadership was seen as a disappointment. The Bearcats have high expectations and the school has decided to move in a new direction with their men's basketball program.

The details

Miller was hired as Cincinnati's head coach in 2021 after 10 seasons at UNC Greensboro, where he led the Spartans to one NCAA Tournament appearance. During his five years with the Bearcats, he never finished above .500 in Big 12 play and the team's offense consistently struggled to be among the nation's elite, despite strong defensive performances. Cincinnati's nonconference schedule this past season, which included losses to Eastern Michigan, Xavier, Louisville, Georgia and Clemson, also contributed to the team missing the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year.

  • Cincinnati dismissed Wes Miller on March 13, 2026.
  • Miller was hired as Cincinnati's head coach in 2021.
  • Miller signed a contract extension with Cincinnati on December 14, 2022.

The players

Wes Miller

The former head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team, who was dismissed after five seasons with the program.

John Cunningham

The athletic director of the University of Cincinnati, who signed Wes Miller to a contract extension in 2022 before ultimately deciding to dismiss him.

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What’s next

Cincinnati will now begin a search for a new head coach to lead the Bearcats' men's basketball program.

The takeaway

The dismissal of Wes Miller as Cincinnati's head coach highlights the high expectations and pressure to succeed at a program with a rich basketball tradition. The Bearcats' inability to reach the NCAA Tournament during Miller's tenure ultimately led to his downfall, as the school looks to find a new leader who can restore the program to its former glory.