Sports

Miller Receives Third 'Coach of the Year' Title

The Gazette named Churchill's Basketball Head Coach Matt Miller as the "Coach of the Year."

For the first time in ’s history, a coach has won a “Coach of the Year” title three times in one season.

On Wednesday, the Gazette named Bulldogs Boys Basketball Coach Matt Miller the "Coach of the Year,” only a few weeks after he received the same title from and

Miller said he is excited to be recognized, but it wouldn’t be possible without the team and staff.

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“It’s an honor, but in the end, your players have to do the work for you and you can’t get an accolade like that without high character kids who work hard,” Miller said.

Associate head coach Kevin Jones, and assistant coach and head junior varsity coach, Mike Lovitt played a big part in the team’s success, Miller said.

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“They’re a tremendous help on the bench and develop players,” he said.

The Gazette gave Miller the honor because of his strategy and technique as a coach, according to the story.

“With no offensive star, preseason injuries, nevertheless won 4A West Division in program's best season since 1978,” according to the Gazette story. “Stressed defense, ball movement.”

Miller, who finished his third year as head coach at Churchill, has coached the Bulldogs through two winning seasons with an overall record of 42-29.

Under Miller's leadership, the Bulldogs achieved an 18-6 overall record and won the 2011 MOCO 4A West Division Championship en route to an appearance in the MPSSAA 4A West Region Semifinals.

Miller said he will continue with the same strategy in next year’s season and work on developing the team.

“I think we are going to try to continue to do more of the same things and get the boys to commit to individual development,” he said. “I think the kids like playing our style because it’s a fun style and that contributes to our success because the kids like doing it.”


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