Crusaders back to drawing board

Canterbury's pick for new coach backs out to take a job with the University of San Diego.

By JOE SMITH
Published March 21, 2007

Canterbury athletic director Dave Smith thought he had a new varsity football coach.

He really did.

The top candidate, Brad Miller from Pasadena, Calif., had signed a contract March 9, agreeing to be a coach and teacher at the St. Petersburg private school. But just as Smith was ready to send a press release Tuesday morning, he was jolted with breaking news.

Miller had called Canterbury administrators that morning, saying he had changed his mind. Miller instead accepted an assistant coaching job at the University of San Diego.

Smith said private school contracts allow a "30-day out," and Miller chose an opportunity he told administrators "he couldn't pass up." Miller could not be reached for comment, but Smith said the University of San Diego opportunity came in "at the last minute."

"This," Smith said, "is not exactly what we had planned or envisioned."

So with spring football just six weeks away, Canterbury is back to square one. Their coaching search restarted today, with Smith and other administrators putting together a short list of potential candidates.

The school had narrowed the field down to three in February - Miller, and two unidentified local candidates. Only Miller, who flew into town the weekend of Feb. 17, was formally interviewed, Smith said.

Canterbury is trying to replace Shannon Brooks, who resigned in late November to take an assistant head coaching job at Lakewood.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or 727 893-8129.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 00:43:13]