Brooks Praises Defense After Big Win
Bill Miller has been hired as the linebackers coach at the University of Louisville, head coach Steve Kragthorpe announced on Tuesday.
A 20-year coaching veteran, Miller comes to the Cardinals after spending one season as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan. Last season, Miller's defense was one of the best in the Mid-American Conference, leading the conference in pass efficiency defense, ranking second in sacks and fourth in total defense, pass defense and tackles for loss.
Before joining the Broncos staff in 2007, Miller spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Arizona State where he tutored linebacker Dale Robinson, who would go on to be the Pat Tillman Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10 Conference, along with All-Pac-10 performers safety Zach Catanese, defensive tackle Jordan Hill and linebacker Jamar Williams. He served as the associate head coach at Florida in 2004 and was the Gators* linebackers coach in 2003 and 2004.
Prior to his stint in Gainesville, Miller was defensive coordinator at Michigan State (1999-02) and for Butch Davis at Miami (1995-98). From 1989-94, Miller served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma State. Miller also made brief stops at Minnesota (1986-88, defensive backs), Nevada (1983-85, defensive coordinator/secondary) and Drake (1981-82, secondary).
He has been a part of five teams that have won conference championships (1981 Missouri Valley, *83 and *85 Big Sky and *95 and *96 Big East titles).
In 2001, Miller*s defense at Michigan State paced the Big Ten Conference and ranked 14th in the nation in pass defense (176.1 ypg). Miller*s 2000 defense led the conference in total defense for the second consecutive year and ranked 22nd nationally (318.3 ypg). The Spartans also led the league in pass defense (164.1 ypg, No. 7 in the NCAA) and pass efficiency defense (22nd nationally) that season. That season Miller was also nominated for the Broyles award.
In 1999, Michigan State led the Big Ten and finished No. 5 nationally in rush defense, allowing only 77 yards per game, and finished 12th in the nation in total defense (299 ypg). The Spartans finished the 1999 season ranked No. 7 and tied the school record for wins (10), including a victory over Florida in the Citrus Bowl.
In 1997, Miller*s defensive unit at the University of Miami led the Big East in pass defense (177.3 ypg), while in 1998 it ranked second in the league in rushing defense (135.6 ypg). Miller*s defense helped lead the Hurricanes to back-to-back Big East co-championships in 1995 and 1996. The Miami defense also contributed to victories at the 1996 Carquest Bowl and the 1998 Micron PC Bowl.
Miller served as an assistant coach under Jimmy Johnson at Oklahoma State from 1979-80 while Dave Wannstedt, Pat Jones, Keith Armstrong and Tony Wise were also assistants on the same staff.
In 1986 at Minnesota, the Golden Gophers* defense helped upset top-ranked Michigan 20-17 and earned a trip to the Liberty Bowl. As defensive coordinator at the University of Nevada, Miller helped guide the Wolf Pack to the Big Sky Conference title in 1983.
The 1983 and 1985 Nevada teams advanced to the Division I-AA national semifinals. Miller*s 1983 and 1985 squads led the Big Sky and ranked No. 3 in the nation in total defense and led the country in turnover margin. In his first year at Drake, Miller*s secondary contributed to a 10-1 record and a share of the 1981 Missouri Valley Conference title.
A native of Hutchinson, Kan., Miller, 51, began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Texas-Arlington, in 1978 as a graduate assistant. He moved on to Oklahoma State in 1979-80 as a graduate assistant. Miller and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Cole (16) and Jackson (13).
