Athletic department sources: Coach Miller on thin ice with Lady Rebels

The early story line of Regina Miller's coaching tenure at UNLV was one of a remarkable turnaround for the women's basketball program, a span that included trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2002 and the Women's National Invitation Tournament final in 2004.

But today there no longer is reason to move a few games from Cox Pavilion next door to the Thomas & Mack Center, such as in 2002 when more than 4,600 fans twice showed up in the same week. More and more losses have resulted in fewer and fewer fans, and Miller's job, after 10 seasons, appears to be in jeopardy.

Rebels athletic director Mike Hamrick told Miller last offseason that her job status depended upon competing for the Mountain West Conference championship and reaching the NCAA Tournament this season, two athletic department sources said on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

"She was told at the end of last year she needed to make a marked improvement of the program from last year's losing season," one of the sources said. "It's time for women's basketball to compete for the conference and an NCAA Tournament bid."

The Lady Rebels -- even after a 73-68 upset victory over Brigham Young on Saturday -- have no shot at the regular-season conference title, and their NCAA hopes rest on an unlikely run through next month's Mountain West tournament at the Thomas & Mack. UNLV is 8-16 overall and 4-7 in league play.

UNLV twice won more than 20 games under Miller, going 23-8 in 2001-02 and 26-8 in 2003-04. The program then began to decline, ending the 2004-05 season at 16-15. Last season's 14-15 mark was Miller's first losing record with the Lady Rebels.

An e-mailed statement from Miller, however, made it clear she wasn't ready to resign.

"My focus is on coaching the Lady Rebels and directing us towards reaching our team goals," wrote Miller, who is 175-119 at UNLV. "I enjoy coaching at UNLV, and plan on being the coach of the Lady Rebels in years to come."

Hamrick stuck to his policy of not commenting specifically on a coach's status and once again said any evaluations are made after the season.

But Hamrick also made a general statement that could be telling. He said his expectations for all sports are "that they compete for Mountain West Conference championships and the NCAA bids that go with go with them."

Even Miller's best teams disappointed when making runs at the conference title. Her 2003-04 team was third, and her 2000-01 and 2002-03 squads tied for that spot. None finished higher.

Her one NCAA appearance occurred six years ago and resulted in a first-round 71-54 loss to Minnesota.

One ardent supporter, though, said Miller is a proven winner and should be forgiven for the current struggles that have UNLV headed for a second successive losing record. Cary Stanton attends every home game -- even some on the road -- and makes some practices and probably is the program's staunchest fan.

"Regina is respected by people in the women's basketball community much the way that Lon Kruger is respected by the men's basketball community," Stanton said via e-mail. "However I don't feel that the current administration supports her in the same way. Obviously it couldn't be a dollar-for-dollar situation due (to) the differences in programs but administrative support has been dwindling.

"I feel that it would be a big mistake to let Regina get away. She's had chances to go but so loves what she's doing here and feels so strongly about what can be accomplished here that she feels it's worth the fight to stay and get it done. Her passion for this program is amazing and difficult to find in this day and age of instant gratification."

Miller said the players are in place for the Lady Rebels to again win, but this season was sidetracked mostly by injuries and inexperience.

UNLV's two best players, guard/forward Sequoia Holmes (leg) and center Shamela Hampton (both knees) have battled injuries all season. The third player Miller counted on most, point guard Brittany Halberg, has made only 26.7 percent of her shots.

Adding eight newcomers -- including five freshmen -- to the mix has been difficult, too, and Miller said their growth wasn't as fast as she had hoped.

"We have to do everything by committee," Miller said. "We've got to rebound by committee -- that means all five people. We've got to defend by committee. And we've got to score by committee."

Miller adjusted her coaching style by becoming more understanding and less demanding so the youngsters could better pick up the system. It's been a difficult transition for a coach who routinely runs intense three-hour practices and carries that fire to the bench on game nights.

Other than a 62-61 victory over then-No. 16 George Washington on Nov. 30 and the win over BYU, UNLV mostly failed to capitalize on late-game chances, and Miller is hopeful a more experienced team next season will turn such losses into wins.

But she said an occasional downturn in a program should be expected.

"I don't know if you can win every year," Miller said. "Ask any coach in the country. Not unless you're getting every All-American like Tennessee. That's not going to happen, necessarily, for UNLV. I think we have had decent talent, but talent doesn't win alone. You've got to teach them how to play the game. When you have eight new kids, it's going to take time."

Miller said she hasn't given up on a strong finish, and no doubt beating the Cougars reinforces that thought.

Holmes said the players share that belief, and they remain united behind Miller.

"Our coaches put a lot into what we want to get done," Holmes said. "We just want to show some attention to them and do the best we can."

Though recent results have been far from ideal, Miller immediately began to win after taking over during an even worse time in 1998. She inherited a program that totaled 12 wins during the previous three seasons. Her first team went 17-11, beginning a run of six consecutive seasons with at least that many victories.

In 2004, UNLV extended Miller's contract through this season. She received a one-year extension in 2006. Her scheduled salary for next season is $227,500, including a base of $192,500. Miller also is to make $20,000 for television and radio commitments and $15,000 for public appearances.

But under the contract, if UNLV fires Miller and she finds another coaching job before next season, the school would pay only the difference in salaries if she took a lower-paying position.

Since becoming AD in August 2003, Hamrick has shown he will change coaches.

He made changes in men's basketball (hiring Lon Kruger), football (Mike Sanford), volleyball (Allison Keeley), men's soccer (Mario Sanchez), women's soccer (Katherine Mertz), men's tennis (Owen Hambrook), track and field (Yvonne Scott-Williams) and cross country (Tony Houchin).

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.