Glen Miller dismissed as M. Hoops coach

by Neil Fanaroff | Monday, December 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm

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Athletic Director Steve Bilsky announced today that Glen Miller has been relieved of his duties as men’s basketball head coach and will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Jerome Allen.

The decision comes in the middle of Miller’s fourth season with the program. At 0-7, the team is off to its worst start since the 2000-01 season, in which the Quakers began 0-8.

Even so, Bilsky stressed that the decision was not made entirely based on the team’s poor start, but rather on his disappointment with the recent direction of the program.

“It was really that lack of what Penn represents — in addition to the wins and losses — that disappointed me and led me to the conclusion to do this,” Bilsky said. “It’s just the general sense that I think of us as a community-building activity, that students can come to the Palestra and watch their team and be proud of it.

“It’s just a good feeling that here you have an Ivy League school, which really stands for academics, that can somehow not only be successful in our league but be competitive in the city and a national standpoint and do some really unique things that produce fine student-athletes and that people can embrace that. That was unraveling. And that was really what led me to the conclusion”

Though Bilsky claims to have made up his mind “late last week,” he informed Miller and the players of the decision this morning. He justified his timing based both on the players’ need to focus on academics during finals and Penn’s two-week break before its next game Dec. 28 at Davidson. The break, Bilsky said, will allow Allen to implement any short-term changes into the team’s gameplan.

Miller — then the head coach at Brown — took over in 2006 after Fran Dunphy departed for Temple. In his first year he rode seniors Ibrahim Jaaber, Mark Zoller and Stephen Danley to a 22-9 record (13-1 Ivy League) and a League title.

But he was less successful over the past two and a half years, compiling a 23-43 record over that span. That included seven consecutive home losses from January to February 2009 — a school record.

Beyond the poor numbers, Miller has been on the hot seat for other issues. Since he took over, four players have left the team for reasons other than graduation. He has also been a target of criticism for his lack of engagement with the Penn community.

While Bilsky did not directly criticize Miller for that, he did say that it would be important in the school’s search for a new head coach.

“I’m not going to really talk about what Glen did and didn’t do,” he said. “I’m just gonna say that’s an important quality for this person to have, to generate enthusiasm and hope and faith and goodwill and do all of those things. And additionally to have a team that goes on the court that wins.”

Allen, whose first game as interim head coach will take place Dec. 28 at 2-7 Davidson, brings an impressive playing resume to the position, but has limited experience as a coach. His role as an assistant on this team was his first at the NCAA level, though he has served at other levels.

After an All-Ivy career with the Quakers, Allen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 1995 draft and played two seasons in the NBA. Following that, he had a successful career playing for teams throughout Europe.

During his time overseas, Allen served as the head coach for Snaidero Basket in Udine, Italy. He also held a 2007 summer internship with the San Antonio Spurs as they competed in the Las Vegas NBA summer league.

But despite the lack of experience, Allen was Bilsky’s “first and only choice” to fill the void.

“He represents what I think Penn’s basketball success represents: a quality player, a quality person, with humility, who likes to win and loves the school,” Bilsky said. “But he or nobody else is a miracle man, and so the reality of it is we’re struggling as a team now, and we’re asking him to begin the rebuilding process, both in terms of what goes on on the floor, but some of these bigger issues as well.”

Though Allen will serve on an interim basis, there is no indication as to who will be the team’s next permanent head coach.

“Clearly we’re going to get a chance to see [Allen’s] talents coming forward…” Bilsky said. “I wouldn’t want to go so far as to say that this is a trial, but we’re gonna watch everything, and then when it comes time to decide the more permanent situation we’ll look at the options at that point.”

Bilsky added that Allen and assistant coaches John Gallagher and Mike Martin have yet to decide which coaches will remain with the program. Martin’s status will be especially intriguing, as the former Brown standout has served as an assistant under Miller since the 2005-06 season when they were still with the Bears.

Players were not made available for comment today.

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Comments

70sgrad

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 12:47pm

The Real Culprit is Bilsky

Just when Penn was competing successfully in the Ivy League and beyond, the brainiac Bilsky decides to tender Fran Dunphy an insulting contract offer. Of course, Dunphy, takes a better offer both for the money and for the opportunity to prove Bilsky wrong. Well yesterday, Temple (8 - 2) beath #3 ranked Villanova. How did Penn do against Nova?? In his arrogance, Bilsky thinks that Miller can replace Dunphy?? Again, what has Penn's record been since Dunphy left? Penn is now rated in the bottom 10 in NCAA Div. IA. Who made all the bright decisions?? None other than the egotistical Steve Bilsky. Bilsky has single handedly brought Penn from its heyday during the early 70s Bilsky & Wohl days to the dregs of the Ivies. Who should get fired???

Another Seventi...

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 2:41pm

One step at a time....

Bilsky can be addressed another day. This decision was the proper one, and let's hope the team can take heart, and win a couple of games.

Another Seventies Grad

hoops

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 2:44pm

Miller fired but wrong choice for interim head coach

It is a huge disappointment that Bilsky makes another error. Although, I have great respect for Jerome Allen as a player....being a great player does not necessarily translate into being a great coach. He has a dearth of coaching experience as his only NCAA coaching experience has been on the Penn bench this year (as 3rd Assistant). Bilsky passed on John Gallagher, a well respected assistant coach, who is largely responsible for the recruiting class and has 11 years experience in NCAA basketball. This move may not only affect this season, but what about the recruits that we may lose because of this move.

70sgrad

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 3:28pm

Actually, I am hoping that

Actually,
I am hoping that Jerome is just an interim coach. Penn needs to replace Bilsky and let the successor select the next head coach
.

SJPenn

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 3:35pm

Missing Dunphy

I really miss those days when Penn men's basketball was so successful under Fran Dunphy. Feel like those days are decades ago since he left to Temple. Bilsky should be responsible in some ways as people cried out to give Dunphy a big contract for what he has done for the program!

jim_saint93

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 3:42pm

Thank GOODNESS

Gosh this is the right move!Just looking at the scores in the paper I was ashamed of the way the Quakers had fallen. All good kids...you just have to give them a chance. As an undergrad Jerome Allen came to Penn and along with a very solid team assembled by Coach Dunphy pretty much resurrected a proud program. I spent many happy evenings at the Palestra and at the Spectrum watching those teams -- competetive against all comers from Princeton and Big 5 to ACC and Big 10. And here is Jerome again..not saying he is guaranteed to turn it around, but hallelujah!

Good luck Quakers and good luck Jerome Allen.

asc85

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 4:42pm

Change

Glad Miller's gone, but surprised they did this mid-season. While I'm just an alum who is removed from the immediate issues regarding Miller, I feel the criticism of Bilsky is far off-base. If I remember correctly, Fran recommended Glenn Miller for the position. Also, while we all think the Penn job is great, do you think that's the same view of the rest of the nation? It's like Notre Dame thinking Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops are dying to coach there. They're not. Penn is not going to attract the "superstar" coach that so many out there seem to think is going to happen.

Unfortunately, I think Miller was a good X's and O's guy, but a lousy recruiter. Fran was an excellent recruiter, and in the Ivies, that's a big deal. Why do you think Cornell is on top of the Ivies now? Not because Donahue is such a good coach, but because he has the best players in the league, including Ryan Wittman, who would have been playing in a major conference, had he not had injuries that scared them all off. Penn used to get that. Maybe with a new coach, they will once again.

QuakerJim

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 4:46pm

This is great news. It

This is great news. It should have happened right after last season, but better late than never. From afar, Jerome Allen lacks experience, but if he can transfer his class (woefully lacking with Glenn Miller) and ability to the team and recruits, this may be a great move.

QuakerJim

quaker99

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 6:33pm

Jerome Allen Class of 2010????

Is he going to be the first head coach in the Ivy League sans college degree? What kind of message does this send to the student athletes? Is he currently enrolled?
I understand that Glen Miller had to go, but come on... we can do better than this.

jouli

Fri, 01/15/2010 - 3:51am

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PennGrad

Tue, 12/15/2009 - 1:40am

PENN UNITY

Being a Penn graduate I am an avid fan of all Red and Blue sports teams.
I have been very disappointed with the state of the 2009-10 Quaker Basketball season, to say the least. Following the success of our 2009 Penn Football Team, it has been quite a let-down to be sure.
Coach Miller has not lived up to expectations and Athletic Director Bilsky had to act. As stated in the above article, this was the most opportune time. The appointment of Jerome Allen might just be a stroke of genius. Only time will tell. Coach Allen is a natural to become Head Coach at his Alma Mater. He deserves our loyalty and support.
In reading some of the above comments, I can't help but think how disheartening they must be to the Penn Basketball Team and our new Coach. I am sure that anyone who takes the time to post a comment wants the Penn Basketball Program to succeed. Pointing a finger of blame at A.D. Bilsky (he is closer to the situation than any of us fans) or showing a lack of confidence in Coach Allen before he even coaches his first game does not help bring Quaker Basketball back to respectability.
REMEMBER WE ARE ALL PART OF THE PENN FAMILY. DIVIDED WE ALL LOSE; UNITED WE ALL WIN! GO QUAKERS!!!

79Grad

Tue, 12/15/2009 - 10:50pm

Wrong Coach From The Start

So let's put this in a nutshell: Penn replaces Dunphy with a coach who won nothing, from Brown where there never was any basketball tradition at all, ever. A mismatch from the start. The AD is responsible for this from beginning to end. I wish Bilsky had made the change after last season.

We still go to The Palestra several times a year, and the dwindling interest the last couple of years was very curious, but not without reason. Sure, the place was full when UNC came in, but last years St. Joe's game was not a full house. Why? All I could think of was the teams were so mismatched, only real Big 5 fans and/or St. Joe's fans would be interested.

One last comment. Miller was a "yeller" and a screamer at his players. We were 4 rows behind the Penn bench this past Saturday at the Monmouth game, and he was relatively subdued. He only screamed once with about 2 minutes left. In retrospect, maybe he new this was coming.

David Wallman

Thu, 12/17/2009 - 12:49pm

Miller In Retrospect

I think Miller's problem was that he didn't actually like Penn, or the fans, or the alumni, and I don't think he really liked the players all that much either. The few games in which I saw him in action he seemed focused entirely on himself and his career path. His periodic rages seemed to originate from a sense of entitlement. No wonder talented players ditched Penn and the program. No wonder he was shunned by most of the university community. It's been less than a week, and his departure is the kind of personal relief one feels when a boorish guest leaves your party to go bother someone else.

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