A coach for a prominent mid-major program that made the NCAA Tournament is off to another job.
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles are in sudden need of a new coach. Paul Mills, who led the team to a 12-seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, will leave ORU and go to the Wichita State Shockers.
Kelly Hines of the Tulsa World first reported the news of Mills’ departure on Twitter.
“Paul Mills met with his Oral Roberts team a few minutes ago and informed the players he is taking the Wichita State job,” Hines tweeted.
Paul Mills met with his Oral Roberts team a few minutes ago and informed the players he is taking the Wichita State job, via a source close to the team
— Kelly Hines (@kellyintulsa) March 21, 2023
Hines would later confirm the news with ORU’s athletic director. Then, Mills issued a statement through Hines and the publication.
“I’m just so grateful for the opportunity here (at ORU) – so grateful to the city of Tulsa, to (athletic director) Tim Johnson and the president, and to our players. I told the players how grateful I am for their commitment,” he said.
Paul Mills: “I’m just so grateful for the opportunity here (at ORU) – so grateful to the city of Tulsa, to (athletic director) Tim Johnson and the president, and to our players. I told the players how grateful I am for their commitment.”https://t.co/OvFsJDl64R
— Kelly Hines (@kellyintulsa) March 22, 2023
Mills took over the ORU job in 2017 as he replaced program legend Scott Sutton. He compiled a record of 106-84 by the end of this season, good for a win percentage of .558. Mills’ 106 wins are second all-time at the university, well behind Sutton’s 328 victories from 2000-2017.
ORU maintained an above-.500 record in each of the last four seasons. That includes the 2020-21 season, in which they went 18-11 with a Sweet 16 appearance. They famously upset the 2-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round as a 15-seed. This season, the program won 30 games for the first time ever in program history.
Isaac Brown was let go after three seasons with the Shockers. Brown replaced former coach Gregg Marshall, who was ousted from the program after a scandal. It will be interesting to see what Mills can do with that program now that they’re in an American Conference without Cincinnati or Houston.
