DULUTH, Minn. - Supporters of University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey coach Shannon Miller want her reinstated.
Miller coached UMD to five NCAA national championships. But the university decided not to renew her contract after this season. Athletic director Josh Berlo cited budget reasons in the announcement Monday. The school faces a $4.5 million deficit, and he says it can't afford the highest-paid coach in women's hockey. Her base salary is $215,000.
Miller's supporters rallied on campus this week. Student Katie Muller questions the future of women's sports at UMD if successful coaches can't keep their jobs.
Miller says she's heartbroken. She says she would have taken a pay cut but never got the chance.
The university says a national search for a replacement will take place after this season.
