Being a Xavier fan within the last month has been tough. I would know, I happen to be one of them. 

On Wednesday, March 16, Xavier University announced that they have mutually parted ways with the Men’s Basketball Head Coach Travis Steele, even though the team is in the middle of the NIT (National Invitation Tournament). 

While Steele was under a contract until the 2024 season, Steele failed to lead the Musketeers to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year in a row. Steele was in his fourth season, replacing Chris Mack, who left for Louisville, in March of 2018. Now, Steele leaves with an overall career record of 70-50.  

But just on March 19, it was announced that former head coach Sean Miller will be returning. With Miller being a top target for Xavier and South Carolina, he chose Xavier knowing it was too good to pass up. 

During his five seasons with Xavier from 2004-2009, Miller left with a record of 120-47 and made 4 NCAA appearances, including an appearance in the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Sweet 16 in 2009. 

With Steele as the coach for the 2021-2022 season, the Musketeers started off the season strong with a record of 10-1 and being ranked 17th in the country, the Musketeers fell short as the season continued. Steele finished with a record of 19-13 for the regular season this year.  

Some part of this is due to injuries with Senior Nate Johnson hurting his knee against the UConn Huskies and Junior Zach Freemantle out for the first half of the season due to a foot injury, with a result of surgery. The team was hoping when Fremantle returned from surgery he would pick back up to where he left off after last season unfortunately that was not the case.

Steele was most likely the only coach to have “parted ways” with the team. Some of the most recent former head coaches for the Musketeers left for bigger and better opportunities, including Miller. 

But it has been reported that Miller is under investigation for failing to monitor two assistant coaches who were accused of accepting cash bribes and arranging academic transcripts for players. Miller also was accused of breaking multiple NCAA violations. His violations are level 1, which is considered the most serious breaches of conduct by the governing body for college sports. 

I’m very excited to see what he can do for the team but I have mixed feelings based on how he left Arizona. I’m hoping Xavier has made the right decision.