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SALT LAKE CITY—Blake Miller, the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Rice University for the past two seasons, is Utah's new offensive line coach, head coach Kyle Whittingham announced today.
"Blake is a good hire for our program on many levels," said Whittingham. "Blake has offensive coordinator experience and is a highly-regarded offensive line coach. In addition, Blake's long-time recruiting ties in Texas will give us an even stronger presence in the Lone Star state. Rice runs a spread offensive scheme very similar to ours, which should make for a smooth transition."
Miller, a former all-Southeastern Conference center who went on to a three-year NFL career, comes to Utah after the best season in Rice history. The Owls finished 10-3 and won the Texas Bowl—their first bowl win since 1954 and their best record since winning 10 games back in 1949.
Rice, the 2008 Conference USA West co-champion, finished No. 8 in the nation in scoring offense (41.3), No. 5 in passing offense (327.2) and No. 10 in total offense (470.9). The Owls also ranked sixth in the NCAA in first downs per game (25.9) and 10th in third down conversion percentage (51.1%).
Miller's offensive line blocked for a passing game that featured first-team All-America receiver Jarrett Dillard and quarterback Chase Clement, the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year. Miller coached two second-team all-conference offensive linemen—Robby Heos in 2007 and David Berken in 2008.
Miller's other college coaching experience was at Texas State (2000-02 and 2004-06), SMU (2003) and Northwestern State (1997-2000). He spent four seasons as a high school coach in Louisiana (Episcopal High) and Texas (Kilgore High) from 1994-97.
Miller served in a coordinator role during both stints at Texas State. He was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 2000-02 and the co-offensive coordinator (run game) and OL coach from 2004-06. During his time at the San Marcos, Texas, school, he coached three first-team all-conference players and a second-team All-American.
In 2005, Texas State finished No. 8 in the NCAA FCS in scoring offense (37.0), 11th in total offense (439.07), 15th in rushing offense (228.43 ypg) and seventh in third down efficiency (48.7%). The 11-3 Bobcats tied for the Southland Conference title and advanced to the FCS semi-finals—finishing with a No. 4 national ranking. In 2006, his last year at Texas State, the Bobcats led the conference in rushing offense and total offense. Miller's first stint at Texas State was highlighted by a second-place Southland Conference finish, which (prior to 2005) was the best in school history since moving to the I-AA level.
In 2003, Miller coached the offensive line at SMU. His first college job was at Northwestern State from 1997-2000, where he coached the offensive line. Northwestern State won conference championships in 1997 and 1998 and qualified for the I-AA playoffs both years, advancing to the semi-finals in 1998 and finishing with a No. 3 national ranking. Miller coached two first-team All-Americans and three first-team all-conference players in his four years at the school.
A four-year letterman and two-year starting center during his undergraduate days at LSU, Miller was a 1990 first-team all-SEC selection and LSU's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in 1989 and 1990. He played in the 1990 Blue/Gray College All-Star game and the 1991 East/West Shrine game. He was drafted in the seventh round by the New England Patriots and played three seasons in the NFL with New England, Detroit (1992) and the New York Giants (1993). His best season was in 1992, when he played in 12 games for Detroit and started five.
Miller graduated from LSU in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in general studies.
