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Sean Miller on the Field of 68: 'We really try to target players that come from a winning environment'

by:Keenan Womack•05/15/25
Sean Miller, Chris Del Conte
Sean Miller, Chris Del Conte (via Texas athletics)

Athletic director Chris Del Conte hired former Xavier head coach Sean Miller to the same position at the University of Texas on March 24 of this year, signaling a changing of the guard for the third time in his tenure with Texas. 

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The Texas Board of Regents approved a six-year, $32-million contract for Miller in recent days, good evidence that Miller was not a fallback option. The Longhorn brass clearly believes he is the man for the job, something he discussed, amongst other things, with The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman. 

Here are some of the things he talked about. 

On the transition to Texas

“My thought process with my family was to be at Xavier for the long haul…but it’s a different day and age in sports, and I look at the University of Texas, and the SEC, and the opportunities here…Chris Del Conte reaching out to me [was] not something I could say no to, and I’m thrilled to be here.” 

On Texas’ facilities

“[The facilities] are world class…for the players you have, and the players you’re trying to convince to come to the University of Texas, they have the best of the best, right here, every single day…[The Moody Center] is not one of those arenas that’s downtown Austin, 10 miles from campus. It’s on campus. It’s one of the nicest places that I’ve been in. The capacity is unique in that it’s 10,700. It’s the perfect setting for a great home-court advantage.” 

On returning players

“The number one thing [we wanted to accomplish] was retention. To look at the roster and the program and to be able to retain and bring back those we really felt could be a part of our future, that can win in the SEC and represent Texas in the way that everybody wants…I really think we were able to accomplish that. When you look at the three guards, [Jordan] Pope, [Chendall] Weaver, and [Tramon] Mark…you have three guys that have been through not only the SEC, but they’ve scored over 1,000 points, they’ve played in the NCAA Tournament…they’ve also failed. They have a great understanding of what winning is about.”

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On the recruitment process 

“You have to be careful collecting 1,000-point scorers. When they come to their new program, they all have to buy in to a different setting and a different role. We really try to target players that come from a winning environment. Cam Heide is a great example…he’s played in a National Championship game…as an older guy, he comes to the SEC with an understanding and know-how. Same with [Simeon] Wilcher from St. John’s. Competing directly against St. John’s, they were a collection of guys that played hard and played for each other…Instead of collecting just scorers, collecting guys that come from a winning environment.” 

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