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Sunday, April 3, 2011
Miller’s goal is to take UD basketball from ‘good’ to ‘great’
Archie Miller was introduced as UD’s new men’s basketball coach less than an hour ago. The gathering at the Time Warner Flight Deck at UD Arena was attended by current players, boosters and alumni, including Flyer legend Bill Uhl Sr.
Miller talked about “total development” of players and said UD will show toughness on defense and “never stop moving on offense.” He also said that the quality of life that UD provides its student-athletes is “unmatched nationally.” Hey, he was excited.
The Flyers’ new coach, 32, thanked a lot of people, including his wife, Morgan, and 6-year-old daughter, Leah. Some other things the Beaver Falls, Pa., native had to say:
— “We’re easy-going people,” he said about his family. “If you see me, stop and say hello.”
— Talking about the publicity UD enjoys in this media market: “There isn’t a pro team across the river. … There isn’t another college basketball team sharing the news.” … Well, I guess the Gem City Jam remains a non-starter.
— “Our star as a basketball program shines bright and one I hold in deep respect,” he said before paying homage to Tom Blackburn, Don Donoher, Oliver Purnell and Brian Gregory.
— “Our charge is to take good and go to great, be better than we have been before in every area.”
— Miller referenced Butler and said, “Why can’t we do it? I look at our situation and say there’s no reason Dayton can’t be one of the best programs in college basketball. I’m here and that’s all that’s on my mind.”
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TweetFormer bosses praise Miller, new Dayton coach
As Archie Miller continues his introductory news conference, the University of Dayton sent out its new release on his hiring as men’s basketball coach.
The release included quotes from three of Miller’s former bosses, Herb Sendek (North Carolina State and Arizona State), Thad Matta (Ohio State) and Sean Miller (Arizona, also Archie Miller’s brother):
Arizona coach Sean Miller
“No.1, I think that Arch is unconditionally ready to be a head coach and a very successful one at that. There are different levels of readiness for an assistant coach to become a head coach, and from my unique perspective, I know that he is a perfect choice to be the head coach of the Dayton Flyers. He will run a total program, embrace what the basketball program means to the community and develop his players to their fullest. I know Dayton is a truly special place, and having been on the other side of one of the great rivalries in college basketball, I know what it is like to come into UD Arena when it’s jumping. For Arch this is a great opportunity, but it is also a great honor to be the Dayton basketball coach. He recognizes that, and how important basketball is at Dayton. I believe he will have UD Arena jumping like it has never before.”
Ohio State coach Thad Matta
“Archie was with me for two seasons, and you just knew it was just a matter of time before he became a head coach. When you look at the places he’s been and the things he’s been able to do, he is about as well-rounded a coach as you will find. From his coaching on the floor to his experiences recruiting across the entire nation, he brings a great deal of energy with an intelligent approach to everything he does. He’s one of those guys who knows a lot more than just basketball. He is a very captivating person who is greatly motivated to be a success.”
Arizona State coach Herb Sendek
“The University of Dayton is making a great hire. I know Archie will be tremendously successful, and will continue the great tradition there at Dayton. Basketball is in his blood. He has been exposed to the game and learned it well from the time he was a toddler. His father is a legendary coach and he was a great player for us at North Carolina State. I’ve known him since he was a ninth or tenth grader, and even then it was obvious he was destined to become a great coach.”
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TweetNew UD coach becomes youngest in the A-10 by 5 years
Archie Miller, who will be meeting with the media shortly for his introductory news conference, becomes the youngest coach in the Atlantic 10 Conference by 5 years.
Miller, 32, is one of three A-10 coaches younger than 40, along with Massachusetts’ Derek Kellogg (37) and Richmond’s Chris Mooney (38).
A-10 coaches
Archie Miller, Dayton, 32
Derek Kellogg, Massachusetts, 37
Chris Mooney, Richmond, 38
Chris Mack, Xavier, 40
Alan Major, Charlotte, 42
Mark Schmidt, St. Bonaventure, 48
John Giannini, La Salle, 48
Ron Everhart, Duquesne, 49
Karl Hobbs, George Washington, 48
Tom Pecora, Fordham, 53
Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph’s, 56
Jim Baron, Rhode Island, 57
Fran Dunphy, Temple, 62
Rick Majerus, Saint Louis, 63
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TweetFlyer AD: Miller excited to take UD to next level
Before picking Archie Miller as the next Dayton basketball coach, UD athletic director Tim Wabler said he had fairly extensive conversations with three or four other coaches about the job — but the 32-year-old Miller stood out among the rest.
The Flyers’ sixth coach in the last 65 years will be introduced at a press conference in Dayton at 5 p.m. today.
“He has a high level of respect for the University of Dayton program and a high level of respect for where the program is right now,” Wabler said this morning. “Our conversations with him were a lot about his plan to move the program forward from where it was.”
Wabler liked the fact that Miller has been on staff at high-profile programs — at North Carolina State, Ohio State and most recently as the associate head coach at Arizona. In recruiting circles, that could pay dividends for UD.
“He’s certainly had the opportunity to develop contacts locally and regionally and will continue to make more contacts nationally,” Wabler said.
Wabler wouldn’t speak about other coaches he interviewed. But the ones that would excite the UD fan base already have jobs at the same level as the Flyers and would look at taking over here as a lateral move.
Wabler, who was helped by associate AD Dave Harper in the search, certainly moved briskly in replacing Brian Gregory, who left for Georgia Tech.
“First off, there was a sense of urgency to make sure we got the right person for our guys in the program and the university,” Wabler said. “When we knew who it was, there was no reason to mess around. There are a couple big positions open. UNLV is open. Once we knew we got the right person, we moved forward.”
To say third-year Drake coach Mark Phelps is impressed with Miller is an understatement. Phelps was on staff at NC State when Miller was a player and assistant coach there. Miller finished his career third all-time in 3-pointers for the Wolfpack and is fifth in the ACC in career 3-point accuracy (42.8 percent).
“Honestly, you hear this cliché all the time, but Dayton hit an absolute home run. He was born to do this, to coach college basketball. He’s going to be a real, real superstar in his business,” Phelps said.
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