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Miami hires Toledo's Tricia Cullop as women's hoops coach

Miami has hired Toledo women's basketball coach Tricia Cullop to replace the retired Katie Meier, the school announced Friday.

Cullop has been at Toledo for 16 seasons, winning 353 games and going 86-17 in the past three seasons. The Rockets went to the NCAA tournament twice in Cullop's tenure.

Miami players were told of Cullop's hiring Friday morning.

"This opportunity is a dream come true," Cullop said in a statement. "Miami has a world-class education, winning tradition, competes in the one of top conferences in the country, and is in a beautiful location. While I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity given to me by the University of Toledo 16 years ago, I am also extremely excited for the challenge of what lies ahead."

Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich called Cullop a "proven winner who understands what it takes to build a championship culture, develop talent, mentor student-athletes, and generate excitement around a program."

Cullop has one tie of sorts to Miami, having played for Lin Dunn at Purdue. Dunn was Miami's coach for nine seasons before taking over the Boilermakers in 1987.

Meier retired last month, ending a 19-year stint during which she led Miami to the NCAA tournament 10 times and guided the Hurricanes to the Elite Eight last season. Meier, the 2011 AP Coach of the Year, who had four years remaining on her contract with the Hurricanes, will remain with the university as a special adviser and ambassador for the athletic department. She was 362-208 at Miami.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.