Three years ago, Groton native Glen Miller arrived at the University of Pennsylvania with a reputation as a college basketball program builder after guiding both Brown University and Connecticut College to new heights.

But Miller failed to continue his successful run at tradition-rich Penn, resulting in losing his head coaching job.

Penn announced the coaching change Monday, naming first-year assistant coach Jerome Allen, a former Penn standout, as interim head coach.

Penn athletic director Steve Bilsky cited a lack of enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the school's flagship athletic program as well as the team's unsatisfactory direction as some reasons for the change. Sagging attendance and a dip in student and alumni support sealed Miller's fate.

A 1979 Fitch High School graduate and former UConn assistant coach, Miller posted a 45-52 overall record, including 0-7 this season in his fourth year. His five-year contract expires at the end of next season.

"We thank Glen for his time at Penn," Bilsky said on the school's Web site. "However, we have decided that a change is in the best interests of the program, the student-athletes, and the larger Penn basketball community.

"I have asked Jerome Allen to help re-establish the identity of Penn basketball."

Miller became a hot commodity in the coaching ranks after turning perennial loser Brown University into a winner, setting a school record for victories in a four-year period with 63 during seven seasons there.

At Connecticut College, he spearheaded another remarkable turnaround, leading the Camels to their first Final Four in 1999.

Hired in 2006, Miller faced a different challenge at Penn, replacing popular Fran Dunphy who regularly kept the Quakers in the running for Ivy League championships and NCAA tournament berths.

Miller delivered a winner in his first season, as Penn went 22-9 overall, including 13-1 in an Ivy League championship season.

Penn lost to Texas A&M in an NCAA tournament first-round game. But the Quakers struggled from there, posting two straight losing seasons (13-18 and 10-18) and starting 0-7 this season.

Pressure mounted as disgruntled alumni pushed for Miller's firing.

From the day of his hiring, some fans never laid out the welcome mat for Miller due to his lack of connection to the program.

Bilsky informed Miller of his decision Monday morning.

"He was disappointed," Bilsky said during a teleconference Monday. "It was a difficult decision to be made, and certainly he cares a lot about the student-athletes here, and he cares about us. I expressed to him that we wish him the best."

Multiple attempts to reach Miller on Monday were unsuccessful.

g.keefe@theday.com