By Published March 13, 2026 | By TrendingUpdatesToday.com Staff
Wes Miller fired. Two words rocking college basketball on March 13, 2026. The University of Cincinnati has officially dismissed its men’s basketball coach after five seasons, ending an era that produced a solid overall record but no NCAA Tournament appearances. TrendingUpdatesToday.com breaks down exactly what happened, why it matters, and what comes next for the Bearcats program.
Wes Miller Fired: The Breaking News
Cincinnati Athletic Director John Cunningham made the call to dismiss Miller just days after the Bearcats blew an eight-point lead in the final two minutes against UCF in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. That collapse proved to be the final straw.
Wes Miller compiled a 100-75 overall record across five seasons but never guided Cincinnati Bearcats basketball to the NCAA Tournament — not once in five tries.
Key facts at a glance:
- Overall record: 100–75
- 2025–26 season record: 18–15
- NCAA Tournament appearances: 0
- Record vs. crosstown rival Xavier: 1–4
- Buyout owed: $9.9 million (may be negotiated down)
Why Was Wes Miller Fired From Cincinnati?
Multiple factors contributed to the decision to part ways with the Cincinnati basketball coach. Here is a clear breakdown:
1. No NCAA Tournament in Five Years
Cincinnati Bearcats basketball missed the tournament every single season under Miller. For a program with serious Big 12 ambitions, five consecutive misses was simply unacceptable.
2. Weak Non-Conference Scheduling and Results
The 2025-26 non-conference slate was particularly damaging. The Bearcats lost to Eastern Michigan, Xavier, Louisville, Georgia, and Clemson — losses that buried Cincinnati’s at-large hopes before conference play even began.
3. A Slow Big 12 Start
UC started Big 12 play 3-6, digging a hole too deep to climb out of. Miller never finished above .500 in Big 12 play during his entire tenure as Cincinnati basketball coach.
4. Offensive Struggles Despite Elite Defense
Perhaps the most puzzling part of the Wes Miller Cincinnati coaching record and stats: his defenses were consistently near-elite, yet he never built a top-50 offense. That imbalance cost the Bearcats dearly in close games.
Wes Miller Cincinnati Coaching Record: Season-by-Season
| Season | Record | NCAA Tournament |
| 2021-22 | Joined mid-cycle | No |
| 2022-23 | Approx. 24-11 | No |
| 2023-24 | Approx. 22-13 | No |
| 2024-25 | Approx. 18-16 | No |
| 2025-26 | 18-15 | No |
| Overall | 100-75 (.571) | 0 appearances |
John Cunningham’s Decision and the $9.9M Buyout
John Cunningham had extended Wes Miller’s contract on December 14, 2022, locking him in with a salary competitive among Big 12 coaches. That deal now comes with a hefty price tag: a $9.9 million buyout, though sources indicate the final number may be negotiated down.
The extension was designed to keep Miller in Cincinnati after other programs showed interest. In hindsight, Cunningham’s 2026 move signals that results — specifically NCAA Tournament appearances — matter more than program stability at this level.
Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Coaching Search 2026: What Happens Next?
With Wes Miller fired, the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball coaching search 2026 begins immediately. The program needs a coach who can unlock offensive potential while maintaining defensive identity in a competitive Big 12 environment.
What the next Cincinnati basketball head coach replacement must do:
- Recruit at a high level in the transfer portal era
- Build a top-40 offense while preserving defensive culture
- Win at least .500 in Big 12 play in Year 1
- Return Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament within two seasons
FAQs About Wes Miller Fired
1. Why was Wes Miller fired from Cincinnati?
Miller was fired after five seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance, a weak 2025-26 non-conference record including losses to Eastern Michigan and Xavier, and a late-season Big 12 Tournament collapse against UCF.
2. What is Wes Miller’s Cincinnati coaching record and stats?
Wes Miller finished 100-75 overall at Cincinnati. His 2025-26 season record was 18-15. He never posted a winning Big 12 record and never reached the NCAA Tournament.
3. How much is Wes Miller’s buyout?
Wes Miller is owed a $9.9 million buyout per his contract. However, sources close to the program indicate it may be negotiated to a lower figure.
4. Who will be the next Cincinnati basketball coach?
The Big 12 basketball coaching search is now underway. John Cunningham is expected to pursue an experienced coach capable of recruiting at the highest level and competing in the Big 12 immediately.
5. Has Cincinnati missed the NCAA Tournament under Wes Miller every year?
Yes. Cincinnati Bearcats basketball missed the NCAA Tournament in all five seasons under Wes Miller, from 2021-22 through 2025-26.
CONCLUSION
Wes Miller fired from Cincinnati is one of the biggest college basketball coaching moves of the 2026 offseason. Five seasons. One hundred wins. Zero NCAA Tournaments. The math simply did not add up for a program with Big 12 aspirations. John Cunningham now faces the most important hire in recent Bearcat history. TrendingUpdatesToday.com will continue tracking every development in the Cincinnati basketball coaching search as it unfolds.
SOURCES
• 247Sports / BearcatJournal — https://247sports.com/college/cincinnati/article/wes-miller-out-as-cincinnati-mens-basketball-coach-after-18-15-season-277408346/
• NCAA.org (Official Tournament Records) — https://www.ncaa.org/sports/basketball
• University of Cincinnati Athletics — https://gobearcats.com
• ESPN College Basketball — https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/