Archie Miller Added to Men’s Basketball Staff – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 1, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Thad Matta, Ohio State head men’s basketball coach, announced the hiring of Archie Miller to fill a vacancy on the Buckeye coaching staff. Miller, who spent last season at Arizona State as an assistant coach, will assume duties as one of Matta’s assistants immediately.
Miller said accepting the opportunity to be part of the Ohio State program was an easy decision.
“It’s an honor to join Coach Matta’ staff,” Miller said. “Ohio State right now with the ground work they’ve laid and the product put out on the floor is amazing. It’s humbling for me and I’m sure it will be a great experience to be a part of Coach Matta’s program.”
Miller will assist John Groce, associate head coach, and assistant Alan Major in all areas of the program’s operation.
“Coach Matta does a great job in communicating with his staff and players,” Miller said. “My role will be an involvement in every facet of the program. I hope to add value in any way they want me to.”
Matta said Miller’s experience as a player and coach in two major NCAA Division I conferences will benefit the Ohio State program.
“We are very excited to have Archie Miller join our staff,” Matta said. “He comes from a coaching family. He brings playing experience from the ACC and recruiting experience from the Pac 10 and the ACC.”
Miller was a four-year letterman at N.C. State from 1998-2002. He then entered the coaching field and already has served in many capacities under current Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek, as a player (1998-2002), intern (2003), director of basketball operations (2005) and assistant coach (2006-07).
Miller returned to N.C. State in August 2004 to serve as the Director of Basketball Operations after coaching for one season at Western Kentucky (2004). At WKU, his duties included assisting in recruiting and scouting, as well as serving as the coordinator of the school’s summer camps. Miller was instrumental in the recruiting of 2004-05 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Courtney Lee, who in his second season led the Hilltoppers to a 23-7 record and was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection.
A former stand-out point guard, Miller’s 218 career 3-pointers ranks second in N.C. State history, while his .428 3-point percentage ranks ninth in Atlantic Coast Conference history. Miller also ranks second in Wolfpack history with a career free throw percentage of .846 (165-of-195). During his senior season, Miller helped lead N.C. State to the ACC Tournament Final, earning ACC All-Tournament first-team honors. He also helped the Pack reach the 2002 NCAA Tournament.
Archie’s brother, Sean, is in his fourth season as the head coach at Xavier. Sean coached Archie at N.C. State as an assistant for three seasons. Miller’s father, John, recently retired as the head coach at Blackhawk High School in Beaver Falls, Pa., where he coached both Archie and Sean during their high school careers.
Groce coached Archie Miller for three seasons while an assistant at N.C. State from 1999-2000.
Miller earned his B.S. degree in parks, recreation and tourism from N.C. State in 2002. Miller is married to the former Morgan Nicole Cruse, also an N.C. State graduate. The couple had their first child, Leah Grace Miller, in October of 2004.
ARCHIE MILLER BACKGROUND
FAMILY: Full name is Ryan Joseph Miller…born Oct. 30, 1978…married to the former Morgan Nicole Cruse, also an N.C. State graduate…The couple has a daughter, Leah Grace, born in October of 2004.
EDUCATION: B.S. in parks, recreation and tourism from NC State in 2002… a 1997 graduate of Blackhawk High School in Beaver Falls, Pa., located 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh.
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Assistant Coach, Arizona State (2007), Assistant Coach, N.C. State (2006); Director of Operations, N.C. State (2005); Assistant Coach, Western Kentucky (2004); Administrative Intern for Basketball Operations, N.C. State (2003).
