Cheryl Miller Resigns as Coach of Mercury

Cheryl Miller, the first coach hired by any WNBA team, resigned Friday after four years with the Phoenix Mercury, citing physical and mental fatigue.

“This is an extremely difficult and emotional decision for me,” Miller said in a statement released by the team. “I am the type of person who has to give 100% of myself, physically and emotionally, to each task I take on.

“And the grind of basically working 12 months a year for the last four seasons has taken a serious physical and emotional toll on me.”

Miller, 36, compiled a 70-52 record with the Mercury. She led them to the 1998 WNBA final, where they lost to the Houston Comets.

Phoenix, which made the playoffs in three of her four seasons, was swept by the Sparks, 2-0, in the first round last season.