Lady Hoosiers hire new coach

The IU women’s basketball team has gained a new coach.

IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass announced Wednesday that Curt Miller will take the head coaching job of the team, replacing fired coach Felisha Legette-Jack.

“We are thrilled to have been able to recruit a coach of Curt’s caliber to Indiana University,” Glass said. “Curt is very highly regarded in women’s basketball circles and has a demonstrated ability to recruit in and around Indiana, develop talent
and win.”

Miller has been the head coach of Bowling Green State University for the past 11 years. During his tenure, the Falcons compiled an overall record of 258-92 and a Mid-American Conference record of 135-41. Bowling Green has also won the regular season and/or tournament MAC championship eight
consecutive years.

Miller was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2012 and has won the award six times, a conference record. He is the third-winningest coach in MAC women’s basketball history in league games. He became the fastest coach in MAC history to reach both 200 and 250 wins and the second-fastest to reach 100 MAC wins.
Miller said he is eager to bring his previous success to IU’s program.

“I’m humbled, excited and certainly proud to now be a part of the Indiana family,” Miller said. “I’m a strong believer in the spirit of Indiana. I feel it every time I talk to an Indiana administrator or coach.”
IU junior forward Aulani Sinclair said she was just happy to have a coach again.

“He seems like a great guy, very happy to be here,” she said. “We’re trusting him to make our program better, and he’s a great guy, and we’re all excited to move on with this process and make IU great again.”

Miller’s success with his players extends beyond just the basketball court.

For three consecutive years, his team has been in the top 15 of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s academic top 25. Every player who spent four years under Miller has won at least one MAC title, played on a NCAA Tournament team and earned a degree.

Miller plans to start his new job by instilling discipline in his players.

“Everything starts with discipline,” he said. “Discipline is going to be a staple of our program — a can-do attitude. We have to think we can do things. If we don’t, then we’re not going to do them. My motto is ‘Together, we attack.’ Everybody attacking their own individual role can help bring women’s basketball back.”

It took Miller three years at Bowling Green to achieve a winning record for a season. He didn’t put a timetable for his success at IU.

“I don’t have a definition in years on that rebuilding process,” he said. “What I do believe in is doing it the right way and not cutting corners. I believe in the simple philosophy that championships are built in offering before they can be built on the court. We’re going to work hard and overachieve no matter what stage the rebuilding
process is in.”

Despite IU’s record of 6-24 this season, Sinclair is confident Miller can get the Hoosiers back on the right track.

“I feel like the future here is going to be very great,” she said.