Arizona basketball coach search: Eric Musselman speculation to succeed Sean Miller increases

Arizona Republic

Arkansas Razorbacks Head Coach Eric Musselman gestures to his team during the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.

Update: Arkansas' coach Eric Musselman is nearing a new multi-year contract with Arkansas, according to Stadium's Jeff Goodman, putting an end to the speculation that he could become the next coach of the Arizona Wildcats.

Some have speculated that the interest from Arizona helped Musselman get his new deal with the Razorbacks.

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Original story: Arizona basketball's search for a new head coach continues and Arkansas coach Eric Musselman is suddenly right in the middle of speculation surrounding who could replace Sean Miller, who was fired last week.

The Arizona Daily Star's Bruce Pascoe reported Monday that Musselman had "generated interest" from Arizona.

Arizona has reportedly interviewed Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd, Pacific coach Damon Stoudamire, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Miles Simon and Jason Terry, an assistant on Miller's staff last season.

Lloyd is considered by many to be the "frontrunner" for the position, while Stoudamire, Simon and Terry are all former Wildcat players.

Pascoe wrote: "The delay in the hiring process suggests the UA is still looking at additional candidates. It's unknown if the delay will affect Lloyd's interest in the job. Lloyd is believed to be one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in college basketball (though his salary has not been disclosed because Gonzaga is a private school), and his name surfaces with high-level opportunities every spring."

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Could the Wildcats hire Musselman?

He made $2.5 million at Arkansas last season and led the Razorbacks to the Elite 8, but Arkansas has not yet extended his contract, which ranks last among the SEC's 13 public universities.

Pascoe wrote: "It is possible interest from Arizona could give him additional leverage. He would owe Arkansas $5 million if he left for another job; however, that figure drops to $1.5 million on May 1."

More:Arizona basketball coaching search process slammed by Wildcats national title team player

Musselman, 56, a former NBA coach and a former assistant at ASU, was recently listed at 20/1 odds for the job, according to BetUs.com. He was tied for seventh in their odds for who would become the next coach at Arizona.

Musselman quickly turned around the Nevada and Arkansas programs and could potentially do the same thing in Tucson.

In six seasons as a college coach, Musselman has a 155-53 record. He was at Nevada for four seasons and then at Arkansas the past two seasons.

He has gone 45-19 in his two seasons with the Razorbacks.

The San Jose Mercury News' Jon Wilner wrote that Musselman is the perfect coach to replace Miller.

He wrote: "The Wildcats should open the vault, pay Eric Musselman whatever it takes, then kick back and watch him raise the program to its historical standard. Musselman is a better coach than anyone who has been connected to the job in the 24 hours since Miller’s dismissal. He’s the son of an NBA coach and a former NBA coach himself, until a DUI arrest and losing season cost him a job in Sacramento. From there, Musselman rebuilt his reputation by becoming an assistant coach for two college teams, Arizona State and LSU. How many former NBA coaches put their ego in the closet and agree to become college assistants? Musselman wanted to keep coaching, his best (only?) option was the college route, and he knew he had to learn the nuances."

Would Arizona pay up to get him or wait until May to announce him as its head coach?

More:Arizona basketball coach search: Gonzaga's Tommy Lloyd 'frontrunner' to replace Sean Miller