Coaches Spotlight- Gary Miller
1- Congrats on having a great regular season. When did you first become interested in Track and Field?
My father was a high school track coach for 40+ years in Illinois. I have been a high school and college football coach for 32 years, but last year was the first year I ever coached track (or girls).
2- Did you compete in HS or College as an athlete? or another Sport?
In high school, like a lot of kids back then, I played three sports – football, basketball, and track. In small college I played football for four years and ran track for the first two.
3- Describe your journey from novice Coach to your Head Coaching position now
I didn’t actively pursue a head coaching position. I just tried to be the best assistant I could be and the opportunities just sort of happened. I did change jobs a few times as unique positions came available. I tried to work with strong programs and coaches from whom I could learn. I try to take advantage to learn from the head coaches in the other sports at my school – some of these people are spectacular. The two times I entered college coaching were just opportunities I could not pass up, but I realized a long time ago that my favorite job is to help kids realize their dreams and learn to be a good teammate in high school.
4- How important is it to have the full support of the AD and resources available to succeed?
Support of the school, in particular the AD and principal, will make or break the program and the coach. Much more than money, the belief in the importance of the teaching opportunities and team-building activities that only sports can provide help define the culture of the entire school.
5- What are some of the challenges in building a successful program?
The biggest challenge was getting all of the assistant coaches on board. I think most assistants start off wary of the new HC because they don’t know how much they care (or don’t care) about the kid’s well-being, the coach’s family/personal situations, the sport, etc. The assistants do the vast majority of the coaching here. I see my job as facilitating their work. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don’t, but try to do better next time. I hope they know I care.
6- Do you have a supportive Track Booster Club?
Our school does it as an “All Sports” Booster Club. This model very well works here, but at my last school it didn’t. Giving up control of my sports-specific Booster Club at that school was a mistake. Here, it really helps that the fund raising is done independently of the individual head coach.
7- Has Middle Track the past few years in your feeder schools helped contribute to the HS program's success?
We run the middle school program as a separate entity from the high school program. Going forward, I think we should integrate the two, but the head coach has to stay on top of potential drawbacks.
8- What are your program's Goals every season? County/Region title, State Championship?
Our goal is to run for fun and personal best. The region and state stuff only happens when the stars all line up – a large number of very talented kids and great assistant coaching all at the same time – and this stuff is most often out of my control. Throw in a tough region with really good coaches, and you’ll be miserable if you judge your programs by wins.
9- Assess your team's Region meet and the challenges faced at Sectionals to advance.
Our Region Meet (set up by Jesse Griffin from Carver High School) was exceptionally well-run and organized. The passion for track and field at these schools (Redan, Carver, Banneker, Grady, to name just a few) is inspiring. These coaches are very knowledgeable, highly motivated, and when they run, they demand your “A” game. Last year we had a kid win his event in the region and turn around at Carrollton and place 9th (with a good time!), beaten by the three kids he beat the week before.
10- What advancements should the GHSA make to bring our Sport on par with the 'other' 47 states ?
I think it would make it easier on the coaches if the boys and girls State meets were held together. Maybe put the big schools in Albany and the smaller schools in Jefferson one year, and flip it the next year. Both Albany and Jefferson put on a superior meet that is a great showcase for our kids. Carrollton runs a great meet as well, and would be a heck of a facility for any major meet.
Bonus- What has been among your favorite accomplishments for the school you now coach at?
Working with friends. Never take that for granted, because it doesn’t happen everywhere. And it makes the hours and pay and sacrifices worthwhile.