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fter posting a program-record 7-3 season in 2012, WLC’s head football coach, Dr. Dennis Miller, decided to step down after 13 seasons. “This kind of decision is never easy, but it was the right time to step down. It’s been an incredible journey,” Miller, who continues to serve as vice president of student affairs, said earlier this year.
was ranked nationally, and he was named Conference Coach of the Year three of those years. In 1998, Miller accepted the call to serve as head football coach at WLC because he loved the college’s mission. He came with one goal in mind: to build a successful football program. He was starting from scratch – no staff, players, or facilities – just a vision. 1999 was only a practice season, using county and city parks as venues.
He also is extremely pleased with the fact that Ben Murphy ’04 was promoted and now serves as the Warriors head “One of my favorite memories from all football coach. “Ben – along with Mike 13 seasons was that fall of ’99,” Miller Fossum and the entire, great coaching said recently. “We practiced football – staff – have recruited a tremendous as a team – with a weekly schedule, but group of players,” Miller said. “There Warriors Football had its first competitive season in without real games or other teams, for are strong procedures in place to keep 2000 with 42 players. The team was victorious in its nine weeks. We used Rainbow Park in the program moving forward, and I see first game ever played, defeating Rockford College. West Allis – and set up portable goal great things ahead for Warriors Football.” posts – but we were on top of the world. We were finally Miller was at Brigham Young University in 1984-1985 coaching receivers and linebackers alongside Mike Holmgren, who was coaching BYU’s quarterbacks. The duo helped lead BYU to a national championship in 1984. Miller forged his reputation as a head football coach at Aberdeen, South Dakota, though, where he resurrected a struggling Northern State University program with nearly overnight success. During his 12-year stay at Northern State, Miller’s football teams won 47 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games, more than any other school. Six times his program
out on a field, practicing football, and our players were motivated and focused. They approached those nine weeks of practice with pride, because they knew they were preparing the program for the future. I was very proud of those guys.”
Competitive seasons began in 2000 as an independent school with 42 players. WLC joined the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 2002 and remained a member for six years before beginning competition in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2008.
Coach Dennis Miller was honored at WLC’s Homecoming on October 19 with a video presentation, the presence of many former players, and more. “To have more than 45 alumni football players take part in the ceremony, and celebrate the great times we had, was really an honor and something I will not forget,” Miller said.
The Warriors finally had a home field with the construction of Raabe Stadium in 2006 and have had an Outdoor Athletic Center since 2011. In 2012 the football squad numbered 106, 26 of whom were NACC Scholar Athletes, second highest in the conference. By all standards typically used to measure success, the Warriors football program is a success. Season records, growth of team, retention of players – all are clear indicators that Miller’s initial goal, to build a successful football program at WLC – has been achieved. To see more Warriors Football details, visit 8 wlcsports.com. Wisconsin Lutheran College | 7
coach miller retires
Miller retires as first Warriors head football coach