After leading the No. 2 Reinhardt Eagles to a record-breaking season and a national runner-up finish in the 2017 NAIA Football National Championship, first-year head football coach James Miller has reached an agreement on a three-year extension, Director of Athletics Bill Popp announced.
The deal will keep Miller roaming the sidelines of Ken White Field at University Stadium through 2020.
“With the success after his first year as a head coach, we really wanted to take this opportunity to extend Coach Miller so he can continue to grow this program in the positive direction that he took it this year,” Popp said. “This extension provides continuity to the program, allows us to retain our staff, and lets our current players and future recruits know that our coaches will be here to continue on the successful path that has been laid.”
“His passion for the game is second-to-none; he just loves coaching football and the kids look up to him – they love him – and they respond well to him. Couple that with the way he handles his staff, it was a very easy decision for us to extend Coach Miller to lead Reinhardt Football into the future.”
A former college football player at Virginia Tech (2000-04), Miller has been with Reinhardt since 2014. Miller also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator, in addition to being the assistant coach in charge of the offensive line.
The head Eagle now looks to mold his team into a consistent powerhouse after his initial 12-1 campaign.
“I’m excited to continue to try to build Reinhardt into a national program,” Miller said. “I really feel we have in place what it takes to continue building this program and win a championship. I want to thank President Dr. (Kina) Mallard and Coach Popp for giving me this opportunity; it’s truly a blessing to coach these kids at our great University.
“Also, I would like to thank my players and coaches – without them, none of this would be possible.”
The Sylva, N.C., native and company will now hit the ground running in recruiting as they get to work on earning their way back to Daytona in 2018.
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