Tom Miller, Sedona Red Rock High School athletic director, committed to an additional role with Scorpions athletics, that of being head football coach. Commitment is key, the operative word when talking with him about taking the team upward.
With more than 40 years of experience coaching from the high school to NCAA Division I levels under his belt, Miller brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.
“It’s just what I do,” Miller said. “It’s really just about the only thing I know. I still feel like I can make a difference in some kids’ lives … I feel responsible to get things going in the right direction for at least a period of time.”
The Albany, N.Y., native came to Red Rock at the start of the 2016-17 academic year as a volunteer assistant with a Scorpions team that finished 2-8. He knows the struggles that team went through, mostly founded on a lack of consistent numbers at practice.
“In my opinion there are enough athletes here to be successful, if we can get them to be committed to take pride to finish what they start and to be accountable,” Miller said. “Those are the things I think we can teach as coaches.”
Commitment to consistency, preparedness, effort and fundamentals along with hard and fast play are what Miller looks for to start the program off in the right direction. Improving in those areas will be the first step of Miller’s goal of creating a successful program.
“I’m going to play guys who are there,” Miller said. “If I have to play with 10 guys I’ll do it. We’ve got enough ability … but not enough ability to not work hard.”
Once consistency in practice comes along, so does the next step in his formula for success: Being prepared. Last season the idea of players refusing to let one another down did not exist amongst the team, according to the self-described “team guy,” which led to unprepared athletes under the lights.
“Friday night should be the most fun they have and easiest part of the week,” Miller said. “I feel like last year we were maybe the most poorly prepared football team that could be, and it wasn’t because of a lack of preparation on the coaches’ part.”
More than just being good football players, Miller also touched on the important things that are to be learned from playing what he feels is the “ultimate team game.” Apart from being football players within the lines, he wants them to learn how to responsible student-athletes and gentlemen outside of them.
He identifies with the phrase “no strain, no gain.” He challenges his players in a way that builds them up; effort being the biggest key.
“How many ways really are there for a young man to test his mettle today?” Miller said. “I really believe that it’s important to actually practice the adversity that you’re going to have in life without it really counting now … This is a great way for them to find out what they’re made of and challenge themselves, in a game setting.”
During 23 years Miller coached quite a few men who found those things out as an assistant at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator of teams that went on to block more kicks that any other in the 1990s and beat Ohio State and Texas in bowl games.
The most notable player Miller coached, whom many veteran NFL fans might recognize, would be Chad Hennings, an Air Force alum, three-time Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys and 2006 inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame.
After a short stint away from the gridiron Miller found himself filling the same roles, in addition to assistant head coach, but this time at Colorado State University at Pueblo. For four seasons he helped pave the road to an NCAA Division II National Championship in 2014, the season after his departure.
He spent a short time away from coaching again, and again missed it. Upon moving to Sedona with his wife last year, he agreed to help former head coach John Bradshaw as a volunteer. It was Bradshaw who mentioned the vacancy at the athletic director position that ultimately clinched Miller’s own commitment to Scorpions athletics.
Looking ahead to the season, Miller said that he has received a lot of interest from players, but also does not count on anything until he sees numbers at summer practice. With that question yet to be answered, team goals remain short term.
“My goal is to win the first game and build from there and prove we can and go win the next game,” Miller said.
The Scorpions will open the season at St. Johns High School on August 25. They make their home debut on Friday, Sept. 8, against Holbrook High School.
