Xavier targets Sean Miller as former coach considers return to Musketeers

A reunion could be in store at Xavier as the Musketeers search for Travis Steele's successor

A reunion could be in store at Xavier after the Musketeers fired coach Travis Steele this week. In its search for Steele's replacement, Xavier is targeting former Arizona and Xavier coach Sean Miller, according to CBS Sports' Gary Parrish. Miller coached the Musketeers from 2004 to 2009 after working three seasons under Thad Matta as an assistant with the program.

Miller amassed a 120-47 record and leading the program to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his final four seasons as Xavier's head coach. The Musketeers reached the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Sweet 16 in 2009 before Miller departed for Arizona.

Miller was fired by Arizona last April after he posted a 302-109 mark in 12 seasons. He had been in precarious spot with the school's administration while Arizona awaited its punishment after an NCAA investigation stemming from the FBI's probe into corruption in college basketball recruiting.

Steele in four seasons was unable to lead Xavier to an NCAA Tournament berth. He finished with a 70-50 record but only once -- in his first year -- did he finish in the top half of the Big East standings. The Musketeers are hosting Florida in an NIT game on Sunday with assistant Jonas Hayes serving as interim coach.

Xavier made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances in an 18-year span between 2001 and 2018 under Skip Prosser, Matta, Miller and Chris Mack. Of the program's three Elite Eight appearances, Miller was on the bench for two of them -- one as an assistant under Matta in 2004 and then as the head coach in 2008.