EASTERN ILLINOIS HEAD COACH MIKE MILLER Eastern Illinois University head coach Mike Miller has a history of turning programs around and as he enters his sixth season at the helm of the Panthers program he appears to have the fortunes of the EIU program headed in the right direction. EIU is coming off its first winning season since 2001 with a 19-12 mark as the Panthers won eight straight games to close the season before falling to Murray State in the OVC Tournament semifinals. The 19 wins by EIU marked the third highest win total in the Division I history of the program while eight straight wins during an undefeated February set the school Division I record for consecutive wins. Tyler Laser was a first team All-OVC selection becoming the first EIU player since 2003 to earn that distinction while James Hollowell was named to the OVC All-Newcomer squad. This season EIU returns its three top scorers in senior Laser, junior Jeremy Granger and redshirt sophomore Hollowell to form a nucleus for Miller to build around. Fans could see the fortunes of the program starting to change in 2009 as the Panthers lost in final seconds of the OVC Tournament first round to No. 3 seed Austin Peay playing with only one senior on the roster. Hired in mid-April of 2005 after five years as the associate head coach at Kansas State University, Miller has already produced two Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in his short tenure at EIU. In addition his first full recruiting class in 2006 was rated as the best in the OVC by HoopScoop.com while also ranking in the Top 100 recruiting classes nationally. The Panthers 2008 recruiting class was ranked second in the OVC by HoopScoop.com and
61st nationally. Among the seven new faces Miller and his staff were able to bring in among that top class were the school’s first freshman to lead the program in scoring in the NCAA Division I era in Romain Martin and only the second freshman to lead the team in rebounding as a NCAA Division I school in Ousmane Cisse. Cisse would finish his career as the fourth leading rebounder in EIU history and stands tied for first in career games played at EIU. Originally from Monmouth, Illinois, Miller has always had ties to the deep tradition of basketball in the State of Illinois and surrounding region. He and his staff (all local products themselves) have emphasized getting the best talent in the area that fits their system. The Panthers have succeeded in building their roster with a combination of All-State Illinois products along with top players from the surrounding states of Indiana, Iowa and Michigan. During his tenure at Kansas State, Miller helped the team improve from an 11-18 record his first season to a 17-12 mark in 200405. That season the Wildcats started three sophomores and a “true” freshman, and had six wins over teams that advanced to post season tournaments. During that same time frame 10 of 14 seniors who completed their eligibility earned degrees with five players earning Academic All-Big 12 honors. Miller also served as one of K-State’s top recruiters with the Wildcats having three straight Top 25 recruiting classes as named by Hoop Scoop magazine. The 2002 class was rated No. 1 in the nation. No stranger to building programs, Miller helped revitalize the program at Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State) during nine years of association with the program. He started as an assistant in 1991-92 as 26 All-Conference Picks the Bobcats won only 7 games. The team finished above .500 his second year on the staff and went 25-7 in 1993-94 during his third season setting 2 Southland Conference Tournament MVP's a school record for wins and a spot in the 1994 NCAA Tournament. Southland Conference Player Of The Year The next season Miller was named the head coach at Texas State Donte Mathis becoming the second youngest Division I head coach at the age of 29. Over the next six seasons as the Bobcats head man, Miller won two First Team All-OVC conference championships in 1997 and 1999 and finished second in Tyler Laser (2010) 1998. The 1997 team advanced to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Southland Conference Tournament, Miller winning SLC Coach of the Year OVC Freshman of the Year honors. Romain Martin (2007) Mike Robinson (2006) Six players would earn Academic All-Southland Conference honors during his tenure and in 1999 Jeff Foster would be selected in the first round OVC All-Newcomer Team of the NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Miller’s teams led the Southland James Hollowell (2010) Conference in defense five of six seasons and ranked third in the NCAA T.J. Marion (2009) in 1999 allowing opponents to shoot only 37.3 percent from the floor. Miller also has assistant coaching stops at Sam Houston State in 1991 Jeff Foster and Western Illinois in 1990. 1999 1st Round Draft Pick (Golden State Warriors) A graduate of Monmouth (IL) High School, Miller played basketball at Cartier Martin East Texas State. He was a member of the East Texas State team that Free Agent Signee - (Washington Wizards) won the 1984 Lone Star Conference championship. Miller graduated from East Texas State in 1987. He and his wife, Kelly, have two sons, Matt and Joey.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT UNDER MIKE MILLER
2010-11 Eastern Illinois Men's Basketball Media Guide
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