Donovan assistant Miller takes over as USA U19 head coach

COLORADO SPRINGS (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - USA Basketball filled its vacant U19 men's team head coach position by naming Sean Miller as the new man in charge of the national side that will play at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship. 

The position became available when previously announced head coach Billy Donovan withdrew to become the head coach of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Miller, 46, served as Donovan's assistant last summer as the USA went undefeated in clinching the FIBA Americas U18 Championship title. Miller will be assisted at the U19 Worlds by Ed Cooley and his brother Archie Miller.

"The appointments of Sean Miller, Ed Cooley and Archie Miller to lead the USA Basketball men's U19 World Championship team gives that group of players three of the most successful teachers in college basketball," said Jim Boeheim, the head coach at Syracuse University and chair of the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee. 

"All three coaches have taken their respective programs to an elite level, and now they will combine their talents to have the U19 group prepared for a gold-medal run."

The USA captured the title at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship, with Donovan leading the way to an undefeated run to the top of the podium.

At this year's edition of the tournament, taking place in Heraklion (Crete), Greece from 27 June-5 July, the USA have been drawn into Group A with Croatia, Iran and Egypt.

Sean Miller has been very successful in college basketball, most recently with the University of Arizona. This season, he guided the Wildcats to a second-straight NCAA Elite Eight appearance.

"I am honored to be named head coach of the USA Men's U19 World Championship Team," said the former member of the USA's title-winning team at the 1991 World University Games. 

"It is exciting to be coaching such a talented group of young players, as well as working alongside a great coaching staff. I look forward to the responsibility and challenges that lie ahead in our journey to win the gold medal at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship."

Just like Sean Miller, current Providence College head coach Cooley also was an assistant to Donovan at last summer's U18 Americas tournament.

"We were familiarized with the international game, and we both enjoyed being part of a style of play that Billy brought to last year's team. We look forward to continuing that style this summer," Sean Miller said of his work with Cooley. 

Archie Miller, who will be working with USA Basketball for the first time, worked together with his brother for two seasons at Arizona before taking over as head coach at the University of Dayton. 

"Rejoining my brother Archie as part of this staff is special," Sean Miller said. "We have great familiarity with each other and share a similar philosophy with the game."

FIBA