In First Act as USC Coach, Miller Defends Credentials

Cheryl Miller, introduced at a Friday news conference as USC’s new women’s basketball coach, had a question of her own for those who question how she qualifies to be a head coach with little coaching experience.

“It’s true I’ve never been a head coach, but I was a coach on the floor,” said Miller, who was an assistant at USC from 1987-91. “And I challenge anyone to show me a coach in women’s basketball who as a player won two NCAA championships and an Olympic gold medal.”

Her first priority, Miller said, would be to meet with her returning players, some of whom threatened to transfer if they weren’t consulted about the coaching situation. She met with the team after the news conference.

After the meeting, players still expressed support for Stanley but called their session with Miller positive.

“This isn’t against Cheryl Miller, this is about our standing behind coach (Marianne) Stanley,” said Tina Thompson.

Senior All-American Lisa Leslie called the meeting “positive,” but said she couldn’t say if any players would transfer.

“I can’t speak for the other players,” she said.

Miller, a four-time All-American at USC from 1983-86, is replacing Stanley, whose contract expired last June. Stanley wanted to be paid the same as men’s Coach George Raveling, and has since filed suit.

“I’ve already talked to some of the players, and I need to bring them together, to settle their fears and reassure them,” Miller said.

When asked if she feared that any players would leave, she said: “There’s always that fear. It’s a touchy situation. But they need to learn in life there are changes, you have to adapt.

“But for those who want to leave, they know where the door is.”

Miller went out of her way to introduce Fred Williams as her associate head coach. Williams was an assistant at USC for eight years, leaving in 1991 for an assistant’s post at UC Irvine.

“There’s no way I would have taken this job without him,” she said. “He’s the reason why I’m here.”