According to Shannon Miller and the lawsuit filed Monday, here's how she went from Bulldogs women's hockey coach to unemployed:
Timeline: Shannon Miller's exit from Minnesota-Duluth
September 29, 2015 at 1:19AM
Dec. 9, 2014: Miller was called to a meeting where she assumed she was going to be offered a contract extension. She had just led her team to 12 victories in 13 games and a No. 7 ranking. Instead, Miller, 51, was told by athletic director Josh Berlo and Chancellor Lendley C. Black that her contract — and those of her three-person, all-female staff — that made her the nation's highest-paid women's hockey coach would not be renewed. Miller claims Berlo asked her to retire or resign at this time.
Dec. 11: Berlo called Miller, again stating her options were to retire or resign. Miller replied that she preferred to tell the truth about being dismissed.
Dec. 15: UMD issued a news release announcing Miller's termination as a "financially driven decision."
Feb. 20, 2015: Thirteen state senators sent a letter to Eric Kaler, president of the University of Minnesota, and Chancellor Black. The senators questioned the university's reasons for terminating Miller and Banford and requested further information.
Feb. 24: Chancellor Black responded via letter to Senator Katie Sieben, stating other factors in addition to financial reasons supported their decision.
March 1: UMD lost to Bemidji State 2-1, ending the Bulldogs' season and Miller's coaching run in Duluth.
June 1: Miller's contract expired.
Sept. 28: Miller, Jen Banford (softball) and Annette Wiles (basketball) filed a discrimination lawsuit in District Court.
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"We would get some big wins and then we would have some tough losses," Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle said hours after firing men's basketball coach Ben Johnson.
