Missouri State women’s basketball legendary coach Cheryl Burnett speaks during a recent halftime ceremony at JQH Arena.
Steph Anderson | The Standard
Former Missouri State women’s basketball coach, and Centralia, MO. native Cheryl Burnettt says she’s flattered by the offer, but she has declined an invitation to be the next head coach of the Lady Bears. Missouri State University announced Monday that Nyla Milleson’s contract has been canceled, and she will not return as head women’s basketball coach next season. University officials have said a nationwide search is underway for her replacement.
Burnett took two separate Missouri State teams to the Final Four during her 15 year tenure, winning a total of 319 games while in Springfield. Burnett then coached at the University of Michigan before retiring from the coaching ranks. She is now Director of Development for the Missouri State University Foundation – a combination university ambassador and fundraiser. She tells CentralMoInfo.com, the University tried hard to get her to come out of retirement, but she says she’s very happy in her current position. Burnett says she would support the hiring of any former player, if Missouri State thought that was the best decision.
Names that have been mentioned for the job include Tina Robbins, Charity Shira-Elliot and Jackie Stiles.
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