|
 "Brandon and I worked together for four years during our time at
Xavier and Ohio State, so I know firsthand what a tremendous person
and basketball coach he is," Groce said. "He had an outstanding
career as a player at Butler, and beyond the points, rebounds and
assists, he was known for his high basketball IQ, leadership skills
and strong character. Those traits carried over into his coaching,
and his passion and love for the game of basketball have led him
back to this profession after a brief time in the corporate world.
Brandon shares the vision I have for this program, and he will work
relentlessly to help us achieve the goals we have for the future of
Fighting Illini basketball." Miller began his career as video intern at Xavier in 2004, when the
Musketeers won the Atlantic 10 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Miller then followed Thad Matta to OSU, where he served as director of
basketball operations for two seasons, from 2005-06, and one year as
video coordinator, in 2007. The Buckeyes won consecutive Big Ten
titles in 2006 and 2007 and advanced to the 2007 NCAA championship
game.
Miller returned to his alma mater, Butler, for one season as an
assistant coach under Brad Stevens in 2008, when the Bulldogs won the
Horizon League and advanced to the NCAA tournament second round. He
then rejoined Matta's staff in Columbus as an assistant coach for
three seasons, from 2009-11. The Buckeyes again won back-to-back Big
Ten crowns and made NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in 2010 and 2011.
While Miller has been a part of successful programs as a coach, his
playing career was equally as impressive. He played at Southwest
Missouri State (now Missouri State) as a freshman in 1999, when the
Bears advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. He then transferred to Butler
and sat out the 2000 season before starting 97 consecutive games
over his final three years with the Bulldogs. Miller became one of
just eight players in Butler history to score 1,000 points in just
three seasons, finishing his BU career with 1,121 points.
[to top of second column] |
Miller helped lead Butler to a three-year record
of 77-20 and three trips to postseason tournament play. As a
senior, he led the Bulldogs in scoring and assists, while
helping the team to a 27-6 record, a Horizon League championship
and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. He finished his career among
Butler's all-time leaders in 3-point field goals (189) and
assists (305) and earned Horizon All-League and All-Defensive
Team accolades as well as Academic All-League honors.
Miller was named Butler's Co-Most Valuable Player in 2003, and
later that year, he was named co-recipient of Butler's Most
Outstanding Male Athlete Award. He received the Horizon League's
2003 Cecil M. Coleman Medal of Honor, the league's highest
individual award, and he was named recipient of the 2003 Chip
Hilton Award, presented annually to an NCAA Division I
graduating senior who demonstrates outstanding leadership,
character, integrity, sportsmanship and talent. In 2006, he
was named to the 15-player Butler Team of the Sesquicentennial.
A native of New Castle, Ind., Miller earned a bachelor's degree
in education from Butler in 2003. He and his wife, Holly, have
two sons, Mason and Michael.
[Text from
news release received from Derrick Burson,
associate sports information director, University of Illinois] |
