Miller staying as coach of Falcons

4/28/2005

After weeks of speculation, Curt Miller put it all to rest. He'll be around next season.

Yesterday Miller, Bowling Green State University women's basketball coach, withdrew his name from consideration for the same position at Colorado State.

He was thought to be the top candidate.

Miller met with Colorado State officials in Denver on Monday, according to reports, along with one other candidate, Boise State's Jen Warden. Miller was the Rams' associate head coach for three years before he came to BG.

"We have something special going on here at Bowling Green," Miller said in a statement. "Colorado State is a great school with a tremendous basketball tradition. I was flattered that they contacted me, and appreciated the opportunity to speak with them.

"They have a great program, and I wish them the best. But I am very excited about the future and direction of the BGSU program, and I look forward to continuing to build upon what we have started."

Miller's contract exempts Colorado State from paying a $100,000 buyout to hire him, but the job would have been a lateral move. His contract was extended last October through 2009, and he makes a base salary of $102,000. Chris Denker, Colorado State's former coach, made $117,400 in base salary.

Also, the Rams are in the Mountain West Conference, which typically gets similar seeds as the Mid-American Conference in the NCAA tournament, in the double digits.

In four years as BG coach Miller's record is 65-53, 44-18 the past two seasons. In 2004-05, the Falcons finished 23-8, won the MAC regular season title and conference tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time in 11 years. Miller started one junior, three sophomores and one freshman, the youngest starting lineup of any of the 64 teams.

"When you have outstanding coaches, and when you have success, those coaches are going to be in demand by other programs around the country," Paul Krebs, BG athletic director, said. "We are moving on, and I am excited about the future of our women's basketball program with Curt Miller at the helm."

Richmond coach Jerry Wainwright will be named the DePaul men's basketball coach today, according to several media reports. BG men's coach Dan Dakich had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the job.

Contact Maureen Fulton at:

mfulton@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.