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Coach James Miller - Reinhardt University

Coach Miller, the reigning Region 1 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coach of the Year, is in his fourth year as the head coach of Reinhardt after leading the Eagles to the NAIA national championship game in his first season (2017) and another trip to the NAIA Football Championship Series in 2018. 

A former football player at Virginia Tech, Miller has been with the Eagles since 2014, and has served as the program’s recruiting coordinator in addition to being in charge of the offensive line.

In 11 games a season ago, the Reinhardt offense continued to be a powerhouse in the running game, averaging 339.2 yards each time out – by far the No. 1 rushing attack in the NAIA. The Eagles were nearly just as strong on the defensive side of the ball in 2018 as well, as the hometown team was fourth in points allowed (16.3) and second in total defense (261.2 yards per game).

The national championship run two years ago was aided by smothering defense – No. 1 in the nation at 14.6 points each time out – and 43.6 tallies on offense per game. Reinhardt scored 65 rushing touchdowns in 2017, and was once again tops in the nation with 342.2 yards on average (4,449 total).

In 2016, Miller's offensive line helped the Eagles' offense gain 550 total yards a game (2nd in the nation) and 360 rushing yards a game (1st in the nation). Miller's bunch allowed a combined ten sacks all season. Miller also had four linemen earn all conference honors (Xavier Carter, Jesse Dyer, Scooter Williams, and Tre Coney) and one All-American (Carter).

In 2015, Miller's offensive line, led by four all-conference performers (Sherrod Mitchell, Joe Cannon, Brandon Cheatham, and Carter), helped RU gain 568 yards per game (2nd in the nation). Miller's bunch only allowed three sacks on the season; fewest in the country.

Miller’s offensive line was solid for Reinhardt in 2014, opening holes for the running game to average 294 yards per contest, while also allowing an NAIA-low six sacks on the season. Miller coached four more all-conference players (Nick Lawson, Clay Swint, Mitchell, and Cannon). He also helped to prepare all the scouting reports for runs against various defensive fronts.

Miller started his coaching career at Ft. Lauderdale High School in 2005, where he was the program’s running game coordinator. After three months as an assistant to the athletic director at UNC-Pembroke, Miller returned to Virginia Tech to complete his Master’s degree while working as a graduate assistant with the Hokies. His work with the offensive line helped the Hokies to the 2006 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the 2008 Orange Bowl, with VT winning the ACC title in 2007.

Miller went back to UNC-Pembroke in 2008, where he was the defensive line coach through 2013. The team ranked in the Top 20 in NCAA Division II in scoring defense from 2008-10, with the defensive line recording 226 tackles for a loss and 106 sacks.

For one season, Miller was the running game coordinator and offensive line coach at Clark Atlanta University. The team averaged 208 yards per game running the ball in 2013, a 40-yard improvement over 2012.

As a player, Miller was a standout offensive lineman for the Hokies, playing in 46 games with 21 starts. The Hokies went to four-straight bowl games and compiled a 36-16 record while Miller was on the team.