MINNEAPOLIS -- The front-runner for the Minnesota women's basketball coaching vacancy has withdrawn herself from consideration for the job.

	“	I was very excited about her candidacy. Women's athletics is due some good luck. We haven't had a good April. We haven't had a good May thus far. ”
		— Chris Voelz, Minnesota women's AD

Cheryl Burnett, who resigned April 22 as Southwest Missouri State's coach, cited uncertainty over possible NCAA violations and working for a yet-to-be-named athletics director as reasons for her decision.

The announcement late Monday night follows a weekend of speculation that a deal between Burnett and Minnesota was nearly finalized.

"It's just the uncertainties of who I would be working with daily and the NCAA," Burnett said. "It's just a simple reaction to uncertainties. At this point in time in my career, I'm being extremely selective of the position I'm going to be in next."

She said salary wasn't an issue.

The Gophers have been searching for a coach since Brenda Oldfield departed after one season to take over Maryland's program. The team faces NCAA sanctions for infractions committed by former coach Cheryl Littlejohn, who stumbled to a 29-81 record during four years at the school before Oldfield's lone season.

Last week, four Minnesota players wrote an e-mail to women's athletics director Chris Voelz, voicing concerns about Burnett's coaching techniques. They asked Voelz to reconsider hiring Burnett. The players cited reports that Burnett has a demanding coaching style that runs counter to the relaxed style of Oldfield.

Voelz is heading Minnesota's hiring process but will step down June 15 when the school merges its men's and women's athletics departments. The school will hire a new athletics director to oversee the combined unit.

Voelz said she was disheartened by Burnett's decision.

"I think the world of coach Burnett," said Voelz, who said Burnett has been on her short list of potential coaches for many years. "I think her attributes would not only sustain our enthusiasm, but would have taken our program to the next level. I'm reeling from the news now, but tomorrow I'm going to go out and start the search again."

The Gophers return all five starters -- including Big Ten player of the year Lindsay Whalen -- from last season's 22-8 team that earned an NCAA tournament bid for just the second time in school history.

That momentum, however, could be derailed by NCAA penalties, which was something Burnett discussed with Voelz.

Both the NCAA and the university have accused Littlejohn of giving $200 to $300 to a player, buying clothes for others and encouraging players to lie in an investigation. Penalties could range anywhere from a reduction in scholarships to probation to a ban on postseason competition. The NCAA will announce its ruling in the next month.

Burnett called the interview process "wonderful," and said she stepped away with no hard feelings. Burnett had a 319-136 record and two Final Four berths in 15 seasons at Southwest Missouri State before resigning.

"My chin's on the floor," Voelz said. "I was very excited about her candidacy. Women's athletics is due some good luck. We haven't had a good April. We haven't had a good May thus far. Just as I'm trying to find a silver lining with my own situation, I'm trying to find it with this situation."