Glen Miller ousted [UPDATED with Bilsky quotes]

In case any of you missed it over at thedp.com, the Athletic Department announced that men's basketball coach Glen Miller has been fired. Jerome Allen will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

The move comes just two days after a disappointing, 80-75 loss to Monmouth. The Quakers, of course, are 0-7; unless they beat Davidson on Dec. 28 or No. 8 Duke on New Year's Eve, this year's squad will have the worst start in program history.

By replacing Miller, the Quakers get two weeks to adjust to Allen and to halt their season-long tailspin.

Athletic Director Steve Bilsky will be available to the media via a conference call at 1:30 p.m. Keep checking The Buzz and thedp.com for updates and reactions as the story unfolds.

----

Update: From Penn Athletics' press release:

"We thank Glen for his time at Penn," said [Athletic Director Steve] Bilsky. "However, we have decided that a change is in the best interests of the program, the student-athletes, and the larger Penn basketball community.

"I have asked Jerome to help re-establish the identity of Penn Basketball," he continued. "For decades, Penn Basketball has been a source of pride for the University, not simply for the successes but also for the embodiment of the Palestra creed: 'To win the game is great, to play the game is greater, but to love the game is greatest of all.' Jerome was an outstanding player who respects the game and loves Penn. I believe our student-athletes will benefit from his tutelage, and our fans will unite around him during this challenging time."

UPDATE on press conference: For immediate updates on the Bilsky conference call, see Twitter (@dailypennsports). Here are some of Bilsky's thoughts; full transcript and audio to be posted shortly:

"I think its an opportunity for us to recapture the Penn identity, or begin to recapture that, by hiring Jerome."
Miller was notified this morning. "He was disappointed."
"On any major decision, I keep the administration apprised of what my thinking is….The university is in a consensus embracing the decision."
“The ultimate final decision was made in my mind late last week." Bilsky later implied that Miller would have been fired even if Penn had beaten Monmouth.
Allen was the "first and only" choice for the interim slot. Future of the remaining assistants will be up to Allen.
Could Allen get the full-time job? "I wouldn’t want to go so far as to say this is a trial, but we’re going to watch everything."
Asked whether he regrets hiring Miller, Bislky said, "I’m not going to crystal-ball gaze. I know he brought great qualities to the program."

Comments powered by Disqus