UA assistant coach Miles Simon’s contract was not renewed for next season, UA athletic director Jim Livengood announced Friday.

Simon, who coached the perimeter players, spent three seasons as an Arizona assistant.

Simon and UA athletic director Jim Livengood did not immediately return phone calls Friday evening.

According to a secretary in the Arizona basketball office, Simon did not come to work on Friday although she did see him on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Simon’s contract not being renewed makes for an awkward parting between the MOP of the 1997 NCAA Tournament and the program he helped win its only basketball national championship.

“”Miles will always be a Wildcat,”” UA head coach Lute Olson said in a press release. “”He will be remembered as a competitor, as a leader and a winner. We appreciate his efforts as an assistant on our staff, and as we move forward, we wish him the best of luck.””

Friday also marked one week since the open assistant coaching position that Kevin O’Neill formally held was posted, which is the length of time it needs to be up before a hiring can be made. It should be any day now that former ASU assistant Russ Pennell is announced to take over that spot.

Check back with the Wildcat Monday for more on Simon.