Cheryl Miller succeeds as USC coach in her first year

Cheryl Miller, a four-time All-America player and two-time NCAA basketball champion at the University of Southern California in the 1980s, could be coming full circle as a coach in the '90s with the program she helped bring to national prominence.

Coach Miller, in her rookie campaign has guided the Women of Troy to a 23-3 regular season record, a Pac 10 Conference championship, a No. 9 national ranking and a NCAA women's basketball tournament appearance.

Miller, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, and the Women of Troy were not always a perfect fit. She received resistance from her players and fellow coaches when she replaced popular head coach Marianne Stanley six months ago (JET, Oct. 11, 1993). Stanley, whose controversial dismissal resulted in a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the school, had a loyal following of friends in coaching circles who spurned Miller at every pass.

Coaches refused Miller the customary handshake after a game well-played. Her sisterhood or brotherhood of coaches would not share game film with her or scouting reports, which is also a courtesy extended by fellow coaches.

"I,m sort of looked upon as the black sheep as far as coaches are concerned. Does it bother me? No, because they,re going to do it anyway," Miller told UPI.

The players, who were recruits of Stanley, threatened to leave the school when Miller stepped into the picture.

Now the only threat that Miller's team is making is a threat to win the national championship. To win a national title as a former player and a coach would place her in distinguished company.

With players like Lisa Leslie, the team's top scorer, to aid her in a conference battle with UCLA, Coach Miller is finding her job a bit easier.

Miller's and the Trojans, road to the Final Four will be a rocky one in the Midwest Region. They will have to challenge the likes of a Tennessee, Virginia and George Washington to make it there. At JET press deadline, USC had defeated Portland University 77-62 in a first-round contest and were ready to face George Washington in a second-round game.