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Taking its toll Miller resigns as head coach of WNBA's Mercury
PHOENIX (AP) -- Cheryl Miller, the first coach hired by any WNBA team, resigned Friday after four years with the Phoenix Mercury, citing physical and mental fatigue. "This is an extremely difficult and emotional decision for me," Miller said in a statement released by the team. "I am the type of person who has to give 100 percent of myself, physically and emotionally, to each task I take on. "And the grind of basically working 12 months a year for the last four seasons has taken a serious physical and emotional toll on me." Miller, sister of Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller, compiled a 70-52 record with the Mercury. She coached the team to the 1998 WNBA final, where the Mercury lost to the Houston Comets. Phoenix made the playoffs in three of her four seasons. "Cheryl Miller is an icon in the world of women's basketball," said Bryan Colangelo, president of the Mercury and the NBA's Phoenix Suns. "Our organization owes a lot to Cheryl for guiding us these first four years in this historic movement in women's sports. "She has been influential in creating an identity for the Mercury and for all of that we are thankful. It is going to be a difficult task to replace her." Miller said she will continue in her role as broadcaster for NBA games televised by Turner Sports. "This is a very tough day for me, both professionally and personally," said Seth Sulka, Mercury vice president of business and basketball operations. "I have had the privilege of working day-in and day-out with arguably the greatest player in women's basketball." "I have no idea how I am going to explain to my daughters that Cheryl Miller isn't the Mercury coach anymore." Skula said the team will begin the search for a replacement immediately. Miller, one of the greatest female basketball players ever when she competed at USC, was known for her wild sideline behavior in her tenure as a WNBA coach. Earlier in her days with the Mercury, she would join the team's hip-hop dance team dancing on the floor after victories. Although she had a stormy relationship at times with the local media and with NBA referees, she was a big favorite of the Mercury fans, with average attendance surpassing 10,000 each season. Miller thanked Colangelo and his father, Mercury and Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, for giving her a coaching opportunity. "My exposure to a well-run organization like the Suns and Mercury, including input along the way from Suns coaches (Danny) Ainge and (Scott) Skiles helped make this a fantastic experience," she said. "I certainly still have a passion for coaching and if and when I coach again, I will bring this passion with me. This is the right decision for the Mercury and me at this time."
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