University of Missouri Head Men’s Basketball Coach Frank Haith announced today that he has added Ryan Miller to his staff as assistant coach. Miller joins the Mizzou coaching staff after serving the last five years as an assistant coach at New Mexico, where the Lobos went 126-46 overall – marking the school’s most successful five-year span in history.
With the Lobos, Miller handled all aspects of coaching, and one of his main responsibilities was advance scouting and game preparation. Miller’s in-depth scouting reports and use of technology enhanced UNM’s reputation as one of the most prepared teams in the nation. Miller’s scouting and pre-game prep helped the Lobos to 38 road wins over the last five years, including a school-record 14 wins away from home in 2011-12.
Along with in-game coaching and scouting, Miller worked with UNM’s guards, and is also considered one of the top recruiters in the nation. Miller’s contacts range throughout the United States, to foreign countries such as Australia, where he once played.
Miller was a basketball operations assistant at Memphis under head coach John Calipari from 2004-06. During his three years at Memphis, the Tigers compiled a 78-28 (.736) record and made three postseason tournament appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament.
“We’re very fortunate to have someone of Ryan’s caliber join our program,” said Haith. “I think he’s the total package, he’s an outstanding, proven recruiter, and an outstanding coach who is a great teacher and skill development guy. He’s certainly got an impressive pedigree, just look at what he’s been part of at New Mexico under Coach (Steve) Alford, and Coach (John) Calipari at Kentucky. He’s played professionally, so he has that experience to draw on, and he has a lot of important contacts in this part of the country from a recruiting perspective. Ryan will be a great addition to our staff,” he said.
“I’m excited to have this kind of opportunity to work for a university like Missouri,” said Miller. “Coach Haith is obviously a great coach, and I’m grateful to him, and to Mike Alden and his administration for asking me to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to continuing to help build Mizzou’s program on and off the court, and be part of the transition into the SEC,” he said.
In December of 2002, Miller was named head coach of the Dakota Lightning Boltz of the Midwest Professional Basketball League. In his only season as head coach, Miller led the Boltz to a 14-5 record and a league title. He spent one year as an assistant coach at Pepperdine before joining the New Mexico staff prior to the 2007-08 season.
A native of Mitchell, S.D., Miller attended Northern State University, in Aberdeen, S.D., where he was a two-time Northern Sun all-conference and all-academic selection. He finished his career eighth on Northern State’s all-time scoring list after guiding his teams to four straight conference championships and the 1998 regional title. Miller was a Division II All-American following the 1997-1998 season. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in physical education.
Following his collegiate playing career in 1999, Miller was drafted into the CBA. His professional career included playing for the Fargo-Moorhead Beez of the International Basketball Association (IBA) in 1999. He also played for the Dakota Gold of the IBA where he served as a player/assistant coach during the 2000-01 season.
Miller also played two summers in Melbourne, Australia (2000 and 2001) where helped his team to a league championship and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Miller attended Mitchell Senior High in Mitchell, S.D., where he was a two-time all-state performer, leading Mitchell to the 1994 state championship. His brother, Mike, currently plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA.
— MU Sports Information —