Following a short, week-long search for a head coach, the University of Rhode Island has decided to appoint former Indiana and Dayton head coach Archie Miller as the next head coach of Rhode Island Men’s Basketball. But, who is the man tasked with bringing the Rams back to the promised land of notoriety?
The NC State alum started his coaching career at Western Kentucky, as an assistant, before holding assistant coaching positions at NC State, Arizona St, Ohio St, and Arizona. His first head coaching job came in 2011, when Miller took charge of perennial A10 favorites, the University of Dayton. While at Dayton, Miller saw the most success of his career. He led the Flyers to 4 straight March Madness Tournaments between 2014 and 2017, including an Elite 8 finish in 2014. Miller’s Dayton were crowned as A10 Regular Season Champions in both 2016 and 2017, with Miller winning the A10 Coach of the Year Award in 2017. Miller boasts an impressive 139-63 overall record with Dayton, including a 68-34 record in the A10.
Following his successful stint with Dayton, Miller took the head coaching job at Indiana University in 2017, which, at the time, was considered a top 10 job in college basketball. His time, however, at Indiana wasn’t as successful as Hoosier fans might have hoped. While at Indiana, Miller won zero Big Ten titles, with his only post-season achievement being a 2019 NIT Quarterfinal berth. Miller was relieved of his post prior to the 2021-22 season, leaving the Hoosiers with a 67-58 overall record, including a 35-43 Big Ten Conference record.
Archie Miller’s hiring is a move that should excite Rhode Island basketball fans. It serves as a clear message of intent; to compete and win with this program. Archie Miller is A10 coaching royalty, and may serve as one of the final pieces needed to bring the Rhode Island Rams back to the top of the A10, and even back into March Madness.
Coach Miller’s opening press conference with Rhode Island is scheduled for Monday, March 21st.
