The Saskatchewan Roughriders make their way onto the frozen Taylor field turf with head coach Ken Miller looking on in Regina on November 19, 2010 for their last day of practice before heading to Calgary for the CFL Western Final.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
REGINA — Ken Miller has created a family atmosphere around the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It seems fitting, considering that many CFL observers view the Riders' head coach and vice-president of football operations as a father figure
"Some aspects of his coaching management are like that,'' said Riders defensive backs coach Nelson Martin. "Ken is very intelligent and very wise. The wisdom that he shares with us makes you want to work hard for him. I don't look at him as being a grandfather who coddles the grandkids. I look upon him as being the leader of the family. He's the breadwinner and the guy who takes charge. He's the real leader and he sets the example for us to follow.''
"Some aspects of his coaching management are like that,'' said Riders defensive backs coach Nelson Martin. "Ken is very intelligent and very wise. The wisdom that he shares with us makes you want to work hard for him. I don't look at him as being a grandfather who coddles the grandkids. I look upon him as being the leader of the family. He's the breadwinner and the guy who takes charge. He's the real leader and he sets the example for us to follow.''
Some players do look upon the 69-year-old Miller as grandfather figure.
"The reason I compare him to a grandfather is not all because of his age,'' said Riders centre Jeremy O'Day. "When you're growing up, you might talk back to your dad, but you never talk back to your grandpa. Then you never want to let him down. The guys want to win and they want to see him be happy. That's a good situation to be in.''
"The reason I compare him to a grandfather is not all because of his age,'' said Riders centre Jeremy O'Day. "When you're growing up, you might talk back to your dad, but you never talk back to your grandpa. Then you never want to let him down. The guys want to win and they want to see him be happy. That's a good situation to be in.''
Miller stepped into a good situation as the Riders head coach. He served as the team's offensive co-ordinator in 2007 under head coach Kent Austin. When Austin departed to become the offensive co-ordinator at the University of Mississippi after leading the Riders to the 2007 Grey Cup championship, Miller was promoted to head coach.
Since taking over the position, he has led the Riders to three straight West Division finals and came within a penalty for too-many-men-on-the-field of winning the 2009 Grey Cup game. He has also been a two-time finalist for the CFL's coach-of-the-year. The Riders, who have won 10 or more regular-season games in each of his three seasons, travel to Calgary for Sunday's West Division final against the Stampeders.
Miller always passes on the credit for the past three seasons to his coaches and players. He remains humble about his contributions to the team's success. The members of the Riders' organization feel that he hasn't received enough credit for what has taken place under his guidance.
"It's not easy to win in this business,'' said Riders general manager Brendan Taman. "He has done that consistently since he has been a head coach. That's not easy to do. However he does it, he has the players buying into the situation he presents on a week-to-week basis. He's got his coaches working as a group to put people into the best positions to make plays.''
Miller does that by treating all of those around him with respect. Marcus Adams, the Riders veteran defensive tackle, feels that Miller is a players' coach.
"He's very approachable,'' Adams said. "He also doesn't talk just to hear himself speak like some other coaches do. Ken is also pretty funny.''
Outwardly, Miller may seem like a kindly grandfather. He talks to fans who ask for autographs and appears to enjoy that part of the job.
Outwardly, Miller may seem like a kindly grandfather. He talks to fans who ask for autographs and appears to enjoy that part of the job.
"I have enjoyed this year a lot,'' Miller said. "Since I've been here, we've had a tremendous locker room. I've enjoyed working with Brendan and on the organizational aspect of things. We've had some trying times on the field, but the optimism of the men and their character has been uplifting.''
Miller often refers to the players as "men" when discussing them with the media. The fact that he cares about the players comes through in trying times and beyond.
"He cares about all of them as if they are his sons,'' Taman said. "If a guy is late for meetings, not that we have that, it's like one of his kids coming in late after curfew. He's the dad and you're going to hear about it.''
Taman remembers Miller's reaction when receiver Rob Bagg and placekicker Luca Congi both suffered season-ending knee injuries in a 34-26 loss to the Stampeders on Oct. 17.
Taman remembers Miller's reaction when receiver Rob Bagg and placekicker Luca Congi both suffered season-ending knee injuries in a 34-26 loss to the Stampeders on Oct. 17.
"It was like Ken got hurt,'' Taman said. "He was devastated, as we all were. It was like his knees were gone. The players see that element of Ken and that's why they go to the wall for him. He treats them like they are family.''
Miller hasn't said whether he will continue in his dual role in 2011. He has the option to concentrate on football operations, while surrendering his position as head coach. Doug Berry, the Riders' offensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach, was originally touted as being a possible replacement for Miller when Berry was hired under the Riders' succession plan.
Miller said Thursday he would discuss his future with his wife, Maureen, and the Riders management before reaching a decision. How Miller will come to decision fits into the theme that Miller has established during his tenure with the Riders.
"We'll make a good family decision and a good decision for the Riders,'' Miller said.Read more:
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