The
biggest reason for the Mountaineers success has been the efforts of head coach
Rich Miller both on and off the court.
Entering his fourth season as
the head coach for the Mountaineers, Miller has displayed strong coaching and
recruiting skills that helped make Mansfield one of the most exciting teams in
the PSAC during his six seasons as assistant coach.
In his first year at the helm
of the program, the Mountaineers reached the PSAC playoffs while narrowly
missing a playoff berth in the final game of the season in each of the past two
years.
Miller's team have ranked among the PSAC
scoring leaders each season of his tenure, displaying a exciting up-tempo game
that's enjoyable to players and fans alike.
Considered one of the top young coaches
in the PSAC, Miller's team are respected throughout the conference for their
competitive nature -- a trait shared by the coaching staff.
Miller's players have been successful
off the court as well with every senior in his first three seasons as head coach
earning a degree.
Miller served as a
volunteer assistant for the Mountaineers during the 1998-99 season after playing
one season as a graduate student in 1997-98. A tireless player and 3-point
specialist, Miller earned PSAC East Rookie of the Week honors while averaging
6.8 points per game during the season.
A native of Harrisburg, PA,
Miller graduated from Bucknell University in 1996 where he was a four-year
starter for the Bison's football team as a kicker and punter, earning All-Patroit
League honors. He also played two seasons of junior varsity basketball for the
Bison. Miller earned his MS from Mansfield in 1999.
Miller began his coaching
career as an assistant at his Lower Dauphin High School his alma in 1996-97. A
1993 graduate, Miller received all-conference honors in basketball, baseball and
football during his junior and senior seasons and is the second leading scorer
in the school's basketball history.
Miller has strong roots in
the Mansfield area. His grandfather Warren was an outstanding athlete at
Mansfield University and the elementary school in town is named in his honor.
His father, and assistant on the Mountaineer staff Rich Sr., coached the Mansfield High School basketball team from 1967-72
and directed the Tigers to a state championship in 1970.
Coach Miller and his wife
Julie live in Mansfield with their daughter Elizabeth and son Evan.
Year |
Overall Record |
Conference
Record |
2005-2006 |
14-14 |
7-5* |
2006-2007 |
9-18 |
5-7 |
2007-2008 |
17-10 |
5-7 |
* Denotes PSAC Playoff berth
Coach Miller can be reached at:
Decker Gymnasium
Mansfield University
Mansfield, Pa. 16933
(570) 662-4862
E-mail:
crmiller@mansfield.edu
|