REDLANDS, Calif. - The University of Redlands and Bulldog Athletics will pay tribute to former Head Coach Ken Miller during this Saturday's season-opening football game against George Fox University (OR). The Bulldog football and baseball teams will wear KM decals on their helmets throughout their seasons. In addition, Coach Miller's son Bob, an '89 Bulldog baseball alum, and Bob's wife Chris will be honorary captains for the coin toss on Saturday. Miller passed away on August 21 in Asheville, N.C., at 82.
"Ken Miller was a great coach, but more importantly, a fantastic and beloved mentor, colleague, and friend to many," Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez shared. "He had the magical way of making you feel like you were the most important thing happening right now, no matter the situation."
During his time at the University of Redlands, Miller coached football and baseball from 1984 to 1999. He was the head football coach for four seasons (1984-1987) and later served as the offensive coordinator from 1988-2000, except in 1994 when he took on the role of defensive coordinator. As the head baseball coach, he earned over 250 wins during 13 seasons and won a SCIAC Championship in 1991. He also led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division III West Regional in 1991 and 1993.
Following the 1999 football season, Miller retired from the University of Redlands but continued his love of coaching at the professional level. He soon returned to the gridiron, first in Toronto with the Argonauts, helping the team win the 2004 Grey Cup Championship. He later joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as the offensive coordinator. That year the team won their third Grey Cup victory in franchise history. Upon the departure of then-Head Coach Kent Austin, Miller took over to become a first-time Canadian Football League (CFL) head coach at the age of 66.
Under Miller, the Roughriders won 12 regular-season games in 2008, which matched their total from the previous year, while guiding them to their best start since 1934 with a 6-0 mark. In addition, the team advanced to the Grey Cup Game in 2009 and 2010, with the Roughriders taking the top spot in the 2009 West Division's regular-season standings for the first time since 1976. Following the 2010 campaign, Miller changed roles to become the vice president of football operations. After the Roughriders endured a 1-7 start to the 2011 season, however, Miller returned to the helm and led them to three straight wins by a combined score of 102-50. He finished with the fifth-best win total in team history with a career record of 36-27-1. A SaskTel Plaza of Honor Inductee in 2022, Miller helped the Roughriders reach the Grey Cup in three of five seasons.
Services for Miller will be held in Dufer, Oregon, on September 13, with additional services in Saskatchewan, Canada, later this month.
