Former Creighton assistant is the 18th head coach in MSU program history
The former Creighton assistant coach comes to Murray with a pedigree of working with some of the leading coaches in all of the game, including most recently with coach Greg McDermott at Creighton.
Watch the replay of Coach Miller’s introduction on ESPN+.
Here are some of the topics that Miller discussed with the media after today’s press conference.
Question: After all these years as an assistant coach, why was Murray the perfect fit for you to take your first head coaching job?
Coach Miller: “I think it was the visionary leadership that started from Dr. Jackson (Murray State President) to Nico (Nico Yantko, Murray State Director of Athletics). In this changing landscape of college athletics, you need visionaries and I believe they are the right people to lead this program and give us a footprint that will be very successful here.”
Question: What was it like landing in Murray for the first time in your life last night?
Coach Miller: “Oh, it was surreal. I’m very excited about the opportunity to get to work. The history of Murray State Basketball is something that you won’t take for granted and we’re very prideful to be here and be able to work here.”
Question: Taking a first job sight unseen, what is that like?
Coach Miller: “It was unique. I will say that I’ve never been here before. I mean, all the places I’ve coached and all the places I’ve been, I’ve never coached at Murray State, so I didn’t exactly know what to expect. But obviously I’ve seen games on TV throughout the years. The obvious imagery (of Murray State) and the fact that Ja Morant and Cam Payne and these great players played here and great coaches coached here, it’s pretty awesome. That tells you this is a powerful program most times. I had a really good job as associate head coach and ran the offense for Creighton. But if you look at jobs that you’re trying to get as your first job, you want to make sure that job is right.”
Question: What are the things that the program has going for it?
Coach Miller: “They’re resourced right? They have fan support. That’s right. And they have visionary leadership. Check, check, check. And that’s why I’m here today. Proven track records, assets of the program, especially in terms of building something special. Yes, obviously with Coach McDermott’s leadership at Creighton, the culture, the demand for excellence that he had, there are definitely a lot of those same attributes we’re going to bring here.”
Question: What was it like the last couple of weeks at Creighton and knowing you’re the next head coach at Murray State?
Coach Miller: “I mean, it was a lot of work to be honest with you, especially with the portal opening Monday. But the first thing for me was making sure I get my staff set, which we’re in the process of doing. I think we’re going to have an amazing staff and I am fortunate to have them with me here at Murray.”
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