Spurs coach Mitch Johnson isn’t holding back, showering Texas Longhorns men’s basketball coach Sean Miller with some serious praise, highlighting the incredible work Miller’s already doing in Austin. Johnson, a former Stanford point guard, knows Miller’s history well, calling back to Miller’s time dominating the Pac-10, rest in peace, as Arizona’s head coach.
Miller’s West Coast Legacy Lands in Texas
Johnson’s familiarity isn’t just a casual nod; Miller’s resume speaks for itself. Before taking over the Longhorns, where he’s now in his second season, Miller built an absolute powerhouse at Arizona from 2009 to 2021. We’re talking a staggering 302-109 record, folks. That’s not just good, that’s elite. Under Miller, the Wildcats snagged five conference championships, three Pac-12 Tournament titles, made it to five Sweet Sixteens, and punched their ticket to three Elite Eights. When Johnson says, “He’s done a great job,” and believes Miller’s got the Texas program “in a great place that’s going to continue to kind of take off and head in the right direction,” you know it’s coming from a place of deep respect for that kind of consistent winning. Johnson’s clearly a “big fan and supporter,” and why wouldn’t he be, with that track record?
The Longhorns are Cooking, and the Spurs are Watching
Miller’s influence on the Longhorns is already showing, big time. They’re rolling into the 2026-27 season as a consensus preseason top-10 power, fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance last season and a solid 25-15 overall record. The relationship between the Spurs and the Longhorns is even getting tighter, with the “San Antonio Hoops Showdown” on Nov. 15 at the Frost Bank Center, featuring Texas against Baylor. Miller is hyped about it, too, telling everyone how excited he was to play in San Antonio. He sees it as a way to “tap into our San Antonio fan base” and strengthen the “great relationship with the San Antonio Spurs.” Miller made it clear: “The Spurs come to Moody Center and play, and now we can reciprocate and go to their home court. It’s great for our players, our team and, to a large extent, for the continued relationship and development between the University of Texas and the San Antonio Spurs.” This isn’t just about basketball, it’s about building a regional powerhouse connection.
Kevin Durant Calls Miller “Legendary,” and He’s Not Wrong
And if Mitch Johnson’s praise wasn’t enough, none other than Houston Rockets star and Texas legend Kevin Durant is also singing Miller’s praises. Durant even spent a few days with Miller recently, saying, “I watched practice, worked out there, had a dinner with Sean.” Durant’s take on Miller is exactly what you want to hear about a coach: “He’s a legendary coach who’s left his imprint all around the country in the basketball community. So I’m grateful he’s here. He’s one of those guys that cares about winning every day and enjoys the process.” When a player of Durant’s caliber says that, you listen. He’s clearly expecting big things, adding, “I can’t wait for him to have some success here.”
Tonight, Mitch Johnson leads his Spurs against the Houston Rockets at the Moody Center. But all eyes are also on what Sean Miller continues to build in Austin. With that kind of backing from NBA coaches and stars, Miller’s Longhorns are definitely going to be a team to watch this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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