Jan. 20, 2015
2014 WBI CHAMPIONS CHICAGO - UIC Director of Athletics Jim Schmidt announced a three-year contract extension for UIC head women's basketball coach Regina Miller Tuesday (Jan. 20). The extension lengthens Miller's contract as the Flames' leader through the 2017-18 season.
"We are very proud of the historic success that our women's basketball program has achieved under coach Miller," said Athletic Director Jim Schmidt. "Her teams have experienced postseason triumphs, broken multiple school records and our program's recruiting has improved every year. Regina is well-deserving of this extension and we are excited about her leading our women's basketball program into the future."
In 2013-14, Miller led the Flames to a program-record 26 wins, the first postseason championship in program history and the nation's largest turnaround. UIC collected 17 more wins (26-9) than the entire 2012-13 campaign (9-21), which was the largest win differential amongst 347 programs nationwide.
With a 73-64 victory over Stephen F. Austin on March 29, Miller guided the Flames to the 2014 Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) title. UIC won 11 straight games from Nov. 15, 2013 - Jan. 3, 2014, which tied the longest win streak in program history. The Flames broke program records for points scored (2,598), scoring average (74.2 ppg), field goals made (940), rebounds (1,503), free throws made (557) and assists (526).
Miller is in her fourth season as UIC's head coach in 2014-15 and has led the Flames to a 12-5 record. UIC is off to the program's second-best 17-game start in the Division-I era (1981-present). The best 17-game start belongs to the 2013-14 squad, which started last season 13-4.
"First, I want to thank Chancellor Dr. Paula Allen-Meares, Vice Chancellor Dr. Barbara Henley and Athletic Director Jim Schmidt for their ongoing support, belief in our vision and creating a positive work environment. It is most gratifying to receive a contract extension of this duration, and I could not be happier about it," Miller said.
"Our coaching staff has had positive results in rebuilding the women's basketball program, and I look forward to continuing our upward trajectory," Miller continued. "UIC deserves a premier program and we are determined to see that happen."
During her UIC tenure, Miller has won 65 games and 27 contests in Horizon League play. Her .575 winning percentage is the highest at UIC in the Division-I era.
Miller owns 20 years of head coaching experience and 300 career victories. She has eight postseason appearances, 12 years of 15-plus wins and three seasons of 20-plus victories.
In her first season with the Flames in 2011-12, Miller guided UIC to an 18-13 overall record. Eighteen wins ranks as the second-most victories in school history and Miller set a new program record for most wins by a first-year head coach.
In 2011-12, UIC finished fourth in the Horizon League with a 10-8 record which was the team's highest standing since 2006-07. The Flames also reached the Horizon League tournament semifinals for the first time in five years with a 66-53 home quarterfinal win over Butler on March 7, 2011.
