A coaching change at UPEI

The UPEI Panthers are looking for their second women’s soccer coach in as many years.

The Panthers relieved Glen Miller of his duties on Wednesday. The UPEI Sports Hall of Fame member was hired in December to lead the program that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2014.

Director of athletics and recreation Chris Huggan wouldn’t divulge the reason for the move.

“It’s not an easy decision but for the sake of what I believe to be the best interest of our soccer program I am moving forward with making a change,” he said.

The Panthers went 3-9-0 with nine points to finish seventh in the 10-team conference this season. Memorial earned the sixth and final playoff berth with 17 points.

“He invested a ton of himself into this program,” Huggan said of Miller. “I thank him for that and I wish him nothing but the best going forward.”

Miller came to UPEI in 1994 and became a four time all-Canadian and won the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) MVP in 1998 while playing for the Panthers. His jersey was retired in 1998.

He’s coached since graduating from UPEI, most recently leading Colonel Gray’s senior AAA girls’ team from 2008-16.

The Panthers will soon start the search for a new coach.

“We want to take as much time as we need to make sure we land the absolute best candidate possible,” Huggan said. “At the same time, we want to act on it quickly.”

He said it is recruitment season and the new coach will need to reach out to potential new Panthers as well as those eligible to return.

Miller was unable to be reached for comment by press time.