Sean Miller, newly appointed head coach of Texas men’s basketball, has made Kevin Durant’s influence the foundation of his rebuilding plan in Austin. Drawing from Durant’s relentless work ethic, Miller’s three-part strategy centers on constructing a cohesive roster amid the turbulence of the transfer portal and NIL era.

Following the Longhorns’ disappointing 2024–25 campaign, which resulted in Rodney Terry’s dismissal, Miller stepped in to address one of the program’s most pressing challenges.

Can Sean Miller Rebuild the Longhorns by Following Kevin Durant’s Example?

Sean Miller, the new head coach of Texas men’s basketball, has made building a competitive and cohesive roster his top priority as he prepares for the upcoming season. Speaking with Andy Katz, Miller emphasized that constructing a roster at a program like Texas requires adaptation.

“Every place is different. You can’t…just drop it and say, ‘This is how I do it, how we do it.’ I think you have to really adjust and get to know the place,” he said, highlighting the contrast between Texas, a major state university in the SEC, and Xavier, a smaller private school in Cincinnati.

Miller outlined a three-pronged approach that guides his rebuilding strategy. “One is retention. I think your best players, those that perform already inside your program, that are moving towards their college degree, that are accomplished, you want to get them to come back when it makes sense for them,” he explained.

He emphasized the importance of continuity, citing the retention of key players. “I was thrilled to be able to keep those guys. I think all four will be major contributors to this year’s team,” Miller added.

Recruiting remains a central focus, with Miller prioritizing elite high school talent, particularly from Texas. “Making sure that the elite, the best of the best in our country, but in particular in the state of Texas, high school players that are being recruited the correct way…Kevin Durant went here, for example,” he noted, underscoring Durant’s lasting influence on the program.

Miller stressed that targeting the right recruits, even if only one or two, can make a significant difference: “Not necessarily a class of five, but getting the right two, three, sometimes one in the fall makes a lot of sense.”

The third component of Miller’s strategy involves integrating experienced players from the transfer portal. “Getting experienced players that have the opportunity to leave in the portal…and have that opportunity to thrive. That’s something at Xavier I thought we did well,” he said.

The new head coach, Miller, aims to rebuild the Texas Longhorns basketball program, which is centered on creating a roster with balance and depth. He is implementing a comprehensive rebuilding strategy that blends player retention, elite high school recruiting that evokes the footprint of program great Kevin Durant, and strategic additions from the transfer portal.

This calculated approach aims to construct a deep, versatile team capable of withstanding the rigors of the SEC, signaling a new era for the Longhorns that balances the program’s history with the realities of modern college athletics.