Following Monday's Rider practice at Mosaic Stadium, Ken Miller announced he is stepping down as Riders head coach and VP of Football. His last game will be Friday at Edmonton.
“Upon the completion of my duties after the end of the season, I am going to enter retirement,” stated Miller. “I thank my wife Maureen for her understanding, friendship and support in my coaching endeavors. I’m thankful to Roger Brandvold and our Board of Directors. I especially thank Jim Hopson for his supportive work environment, his cooperation and friendship we have shared.”
“Thank you to our coaching staff who have been unwavering in their support of me and our common cause. I am also extremely thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with the men who wear the Roughrider uniform and occupy our locker room. Finally, Maureen and I thank our personal friends across the province and the fans of Rider Nation wherever you are.”
Miller joined the Roughriders in 2007 as the offensive coordinator and helped lead the team to their first Grey Cup championship in 18 years. He was named head coach in 2008 and over the next three years led the team to three straight home playoff games and two Grey Cup appearances.
A three time Coach of the Year finalist, Miller’s 36 regular season coaching victories rank fifth on Saskatchewan’s all-time list.
“It’s difficult to put into words how much Ken Miller has meant to the Rider organization,” stated Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “I can’t begin to thank Ken for his passion, commitment and contributions to this team and to our province over his time here. Ken and Maureen have embraced this community and will definitely be missed.”
Hopson said he will answer all questions about the future of GM Brendan Taman and the organizational structure next week, once the season is completed.
Miller also announced Ryan Dinwiddie will be the Riders' starting quarterback this Friday at Edmonton.
“Upon the completion of my duties after the end of the season, I am going to enter retirement,” stated Miller. “I thank my wife Maureen for her understanding, friendship and support in my coaching endeavors. I’m thankful to Roger Brandvold and our Board of Directors. I especially thank Jim Hopson for his supportive work environment, his cooperation and friendship we have shared.”
“Thank you to our coaching staff who have been unwavering in their support of me and our common cause. I am also extremely thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with the men who wear the Roughrider uniform and occupy our locker room. Finally, Maureen and I thank our personal friends across the province and the fans of Rider Nation wherever you are.”
Miller joined the Roughriders in 2007 as the offensive coordinator and helped lead the team to their first Grey Cup championship in 18 years. He was named head coach in 2008 and over the next three years led the team to three straight home playoff games and two Grey Cup appearances.
A three time Coach of the Year finalist, Miller’s 36 regular season coaching victories rank fifth on Saskatchewan’s all-time list.
“It’s difficult to put into words how much Ken Miller has meant to the Rider organization,” stated Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “I can’t begin to thank Ken for his passion, commitment and contributions to this team and to our province over his time here. Ken and Maureen have embraced this community and will definitely be missed.”
Hopson said he will answer all questions about the future of GM Brendan Taman and the organizational structure next week, once the season is completed.
Miller also announced Ryan Dinwiddie will be the Riders' starting quarterback this Friday at Edmonton.
77 comments:
Thank you Kenny for all you did for the fans and the organization. I've made a lot of great memories over the last few years cheering on the Riders.
It saddens me that things worked out for him this way, but I guess that's the world of professional sports.
Enjoy your retirement my friend.
THANK U KEN MILLER!!! U DID THE RIGHT THING! ONE OF THE BEST RIDER COACHES OF ALL TIME!!!
He was a great person for this organization and will be missed. I am sure this was tough for him!
Everybody should be thankful of his efforts and passion towards this team and its players.
Dave
Thanks Ken! Go enjoy your retirement my friend!
I think this is a positive move for the organization going forward.
Brendan
Thanks for everything Ken.
Veeseven
Well said Bryce, something that Rider fans everywhere also echo...
Thanks for everything Miller!
Hope he can stay retired this time and that the players that basically forced him out of retirement this time don't try doing the same again next year. This year put a blemish on an otherwise story book coaching career here.
Great person, great coach and a sad day. Regardless of what people say, he is what made this team tick the last 4-5 years. Not a bad thing to say and never will.
He will be greatly missed in the organization.
Donovan - Saskatoon
Good move. The concern was this would play out for a long time and we'd be in a mess come spring. And I think it helps return his own legacy to that of a guy who won a Grey Cup here as opposed to where it's gone this last year. A smart decision, the right decision, and a timely decision.
Respect restored. Good luck in retirement.
IJ.
Thanks for all the great games Ken Miller. All teams have some bad days but yours were fewer bad than good . You did a great job as a Rider coach and will always be remembered as one of the best.
Right now it's Miller Time so go sit back and have a cool one and just focus on all the good times in Saskatchewan. We will dearly miss you.
It was time, that is true. But let's not forget that this man has done FAR more positive things during his tenure than negative. He is a class act who somehow got lost a bit this year. It happens.
CHEERS Kenny
You will be missed. We've seen many good times while you were coach. Enjoy your much deserved retirement!!
Bev
I guess Durant will have to retire as well.
Thank you Kenny for all you've done and do for the Riders and fans, you will be missed. It's a shame the way things turned out but it is what it is. Hope you enjoy your retirement also hope to see ya at a game or two next year. IJ I strongly disagree with you on the respect restored. My respect never left for Kenny he is and will always will be a great man, who is nothing but class. Thanks again Coach.
Thanks for everything you did for the Rider organization. No one will ever know how hard you worked, and how hard it's been on you this past year.
I remember when you and Rod came out to be guest speakers here in Swift, and what a great time we had over a few beverages.
We were ready to shut it down, but you still wanted to go to the casino!
Thanks again Ken.
...no doubt he was given the options by the board....
Coach, thank you for all that you've done for this organization. It's a shame that it had to end this way but that is behind us once the season is over. We need to move forward and this is the first step. Enjoy your retirement there sir.
@Anon I really wish assholes like you would retire from this blog. How ever you feel about Durant is your opinion, but this has nothing to do with him. It's about thanking a great man Ken is more of a man then you could be in 5 life times. People like you make me sick. SHUT YOU BIG FU**ING MOUTH.
the moment i'll never forget is last year's grey cup and coach ken giving a hug to each player as they were introduced. the man was nothing but heart.
all the best coach. you made this province and all the rider nation, very very proud.
see you in the POH.
Please welcome as the new head coach of the 2012 riders.......Richie Hall.
How is Durant going to deal with a new head coach???
He was and will always be "Coach Miller" to the fans and players.
He game 100 percent of his time, dedication and effort to this franchise and is likely in the top three or four all time to be our HC.
He will go down as a legend here for the last several years which will be known in the history books as glory years.
My only regret is that he did not win the Cup as the HC or coach of the year although finalist three years in a row!! He was an integral part of 2007 though.
All I can say is welcome to the Plaza Ken Miller.
So all of you that wanted him gone have gotten your wish. How much further will the go the appease the inmates...
I agree with Dave...
Mr. Miller was a great person for this organization and will be missed. Rider Nation should be thankful of his efforts and passion towards this team and its players.
Not helping the situation was the Management Structure of the Riders. Hopefully this will be straightened out and eliminate the Vice President of Football Operations role.
Matthew
Congrats Coach Ken on a terrific career.
I felt this was the correct thing for us to do not only for Miller personally but, for the organization.
But, that said... there are very few people who leave Regina on good terms with the fans. Player, Coach, Administration, whatever. It's the nature of our fan base.
Ken Miller is one of those very few. High class guy who despite earning some of the criticism this year, was thrown under the bus WAY more than what he earned from fans and media this year.
Oddly enough, I'll probably miss his appearance as well. He's a spitting image of my dad who passed away 4 years ago. The resemblance is uncanny. :)
Best of luck in the future and hopefully, we get to see Ken in Regina for an event of some kind in the future.
The province of Saskatchewan is a better place with him here.
Well timed too....the men will now try to win one last one for Grandpa...
NO to Richie Hall new blood, tillman new that that why he move him out of edm and here the year he was here
No to Richie Hall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone is going to have to explain how our org structure is any different than Calgary or BC both of which are successful.
Both those teams have a GM that is also the head coach. They also have a director of player personnel.
The Riders had a VP Operations who was also head coach. And a "GM" that was really the Director of Player Personnel.
So there is no difference in the structures just the names of the positions.
If Wally or Huff wanted to come here to be VP Football Operations and HC would we let them? I bet we would.....
The org structure thing is completely blown out of proportion.
Thank You Ken Miller! Thank you for bringing back Respect to this team. Thank You for all the winning Seasons. Take Care.. God Bless You and Your family.. Polkabill from Regina
Nobody should be blaming Ken Miller. He was a great Head Coach, and now is not the day to discuss his VP of Ops role.
I don't blame him one bit for it. If a CEO offered you a six figure job to "administrate" you'd jump at it also.
I would like to say something new here about what a great leader Ken was but it has all been said by the previous bloggers. Ken, you can leave with your head held high. Good luck and health for the rest of your life
Higgins as GM and Scott Milanovich as head coach.........
The Globe and Mail article on Saturday about Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Bills and his QB coach George Cortez points out the importance of such a person in the development and improved play of QB's. A key decision by the Riders will be to have an experienced QB coach to work with Darian and the back-ups in 2012 and forward.
This guy is truly worthy of the Plaza of honour. I have nothing but great things to say about Mr. Miller, but the one of most importance is thanks Ken.
Ken is a true gentleman and having the pleasure to meet him on two occasions my impression of him grew.This man was truly glad to be part of riderville and he and his wife were active in the community and loved it here.
Ken, on behalf of all the long term fans, thank you! Enjoy retirement with your wife, children and grandkids...you were a great ambassador for this club, our province and the league. You will be missed.
Sly
I hope that Dickinson and Milanovich come out very early and say they are or are not interested in this job. I suspect both of them will bide their time to take over for Huff and Trestman respectively - why come to this circus and get blasted by fans for every move you make? If Dave goes anywhere other than Calgary then it might be to take over in BC when Wally hangs em up after the Vancouver Grey Cup this year.
Jones might be a possibility but he is a defensive coach and the experts on here want young and offensive minded. Chamblin has done a nice job in Hamilton but is defensive. Same with the defensive coordinator in Winnipeg. There are simply not alot of offensive coaches as possibilities out there - and please do not say Marcus Crandell. So people need to keep an open mind since we might end up with a young but defensive coach.
Can't believe we are back talking about this again - seems like only a few months ago we were picking a coach - oh ya....it was only a few months ago!
Ken,
Thanks for all that you have done for the Riders and the province of Sask! We will miss your HEART and good sense of humor! WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE PLAZA OF HONOR! Good luck in your retirement and don't forget to come back here to visit sometimes.
Pat from MJ
Coach Miller conducted himself in such a professional, positive manner and represented this organization with utmost class.
He will be missed. I hope he turns his efforts to write a book about his coaching philosophy.
All the best to him in the future!
I am with you Woz on the riders NOT hiring a defensive coach. That didn't work.
Yeah, I would think that SM and DD wouldn't want to come here. But you never know. Paul Lapolice left even though he knew Coach Miller wouldn't be long for coaching.
really. as long as it's NOT
Doug Berry
Greg Marshall
Richie Hall
Jim Daley
Mike Kelly
Steve Buratto
I think i'll be fine.
@wwoodsglobal
Board chair Roger Brandvold says CEO Jim Hopson is held accountable by the board and will have to defend future org changes #riders
I wouldn't' mind Higgins for GM and Milanovich for HC. We do need to start anew with new blood all across the board and hiring Hall simply wouldn't accomplish this. I think Miller understands this too and that is why we have his announcement here today.
Rex
Hey Woz,
Why not even say Marcus Crandell? Can't even discuss all possibilites? We are screwed already with that attitude.
I think he deserves a mention at the very least.
Alex
Thanks for everything that you have done Ken. You have been the best coach in the history of the Riders. The last 3 seasons have been a fun ride, win or lose. You represented us with class and dignity. Enjoy a well-deserved retirement in that new house! We will see you again, during the Plaza of Honor induction. Today I'm a little sad, but you have left a legacy that will be hard to follow. LOVE YOU!
Sorry Sad - you are right - I should be open minded myself to all possibilities...he likely will come up when they are listing potentials but realistically will not be short listed.
I am just not sure after one or two seasons as QB coach and one season as OC that he is ready to lead this franchise on the field. His day will come.
Personally if Ken had to grit it out, as he said, in 2010 then he should have packed it in after 2009 so we could have kept Lapolice. I know that Ken did not want to ride out after the 13th man incident though but a potential combo right now of Lapo as HC and Crandell as OC would look pretty good in terms of youth and the future. Then again no use looking back at the woulda coulda's.
Go Riders!
jill:write a book about his coaching philosophy...what would he do with the other 3 quarters of a PAGE!! maybe a gr8 motivator,handled himself with supreme CLASS,but fell short as good head coach...gr8 ride ken,but u ran outta gas @ most inoppertune times..08...09...10...!!!jus win baby...as al davis said..jim bring back austin!!!!!
Woz- Wally and Mathews were defensive coaches and are hall of famers, defensive coaches can win. hire a new GM-john murphy from calgary, and lets get some new blood with energy that will rub off on to the team
Woz,
I rarely direct comments to individuals on places like this, as many people only want to fight. Nice to encounter someone willing to discuss, and not blindly defend their honour. How refreshing.
Thank you.
Personally, I have no idea who should be running the show next year, just that right now, everything should be on the table.
Alex
remember it was Kent and Miller that brought the dearly lacking class back to the riders. Great coach, not sure how good of VP he was, but never can question him as a coach. and i love the stupid remarks by those hiding behind anonymous. Hey Rod this should be the same as the sports cage, u don't have a name you don't get published
Good. Hopefully Hopson recognizes he is the architect of this mess and falls on his sword too.
Won't happen though.
Aaaaand enter Rod to whine about an anonymous poster having the gall to be critical of one of his buddies in 3... 2... 1.......
Thanks again Ken. Even though this season was a bust, it was still a job well done. And since we are already tossing names out there, how about Matt Dunnigan. He wanted to coach in the past but had to deal with the "Anonymous like" cousins when he was in Calgary. You know which ones I mean. The ones that through mud but don't have the stones to put their names on. Anyways, I don't think we ever really got a chance to see what he can actually do as a head coach, especially when the owner forces you to play his son at QB. Just a thought, I could be wrong though.
Thanks for the good times Coach Ken! We will miss you! You represented this team and province like a gentleman!
Spinless no name dude who says Hopson should fall on his sword. You don't have clue do you?
The Stomper
Dunigan, oh great then he brings along Mike "hothead" Kelly. Why not mention Jeff Reinbold and we can get TJ Rubley as QB coach.
Thanks Ken for the great years, tons of respect for you.
Plaza of Honour next year.
Red - I totally agree - in fact it has never been me saying that we need a young offensive mind. That is why in my post I said "the experts on here want young and offensive minded"...I have over and over again brought up Wally and Matthews, Bilichik, etc as support for why it is not absolutely necessary to offensive OR young....
I am totally OK with bringing in a defensive guy...just hope others can keep an open mind about it (including Bob Hughes).
I would also be OK with Murphy if that is the direction they go in. Didn't he used to report to Taman?
Also like Dunigan suggestion if he would come.
How does Kelly, Reinbold and Rubley get associated with Dunigan - because Dunigan played in Winnipeg for a couple of years????...geesh...
Open minds people. Open minds.
R
Ken
Thanks for the great years you gave us here in Saskatchewan. It was a hell of a Ride!!
Enjoy whatever it is you are going to do in the future.
This announcement was not a surprise. Hopefully, the structure will change. I hope the new head coach has total say on his new coaching staff.
Thanks for all the great years Ken and your contribution to the Rider organization and the community.
All the best in your retirement years, as you deserve it.
Rider Bill o
(By the way, if the Riders win on Friday, his record is 5-5 this year. Sure beats 1-7)
Woz why would any one come to this circus and get blasted by the fans?
read the Calgary Edmonton Vancouver papers same type of jerks always experts who think they know more then the coaches like Miller.
Wish Mr Miller all the best
Is The Woz Hopson in disguise? Take a look at how this team did this year.... Everyone now expects a new standard around here....when it is not met...changes need to be made. Ken Miller will be a legend here and helped set these new stnandards.. Hopson needs to either keep his nose out of the football side of things or leave also....
Woz, shut up.
Thank you Mr. Miller for bleeding green.
Pretty hard to find someone with more pride in this team than Coach Miller.
Enjoy retirement Kenny..
Well done.
Trev..
Carm for head coach
Time to grow up anon! Woz has a right to his opinion and is presenting intelligent discussion. Just because you don't agree does not give the right to tell any one to shut up. Grow up!
Brad
So much for developing Bergquist. Sorry to say but I won't miss Miller at all.
first and foremost....Ken you are the definition of Rider Pride. You will be missed....my two cents on the new coachs
=>Head Coach = Dave Dickenson. looks like hes ready to take the reins. Ex QB with a lot of success in this league. Will help groom Durant.
=> Off Coordinator = Steve Burrato.
Tons of experience in the league. Familar with Durant and the offence.
=> QB Coach = Kerry Joseph.
Before you laugh. Kerry Joseph knows the league, knows Durant and his skills. Comes with a wealth of knowledge playing in every league. Can be groomed for a future Off Coordinator role
Those are my picks for the 2012 Rider offence. Good mix of young and old.
Good job Mr Miller. The last few years or so have been the best for decades. You know that if you stayed on, things would turn around. Thats how it goes when you coach... some good... some not so good years.
Wish you weren't going but factors are coming together, age, team in a slump, injuries, loss of key players, other teams having their turn to surge, succession. It will turn around of course but guess you have decided you don't want to wait. Understood
Thanks Coach for everything. Now lets get a win for your last game and put the Esks nose out of joint! Go Riders!
Under Ken's tutelage, this organization sprang from a classless bottom of the heap football team to a class A and envious member of the CFL. We had to overcome the likes of players purposely spreading HIV or bar room hooligans starting fights and used the race card along with their head coach to hide behind their lack of responsibility. I could continue on about our teams embarrassing endeavours before the Kent Austin and Ken Miller era. Thanks for adding some class back to a team and organization that was so far below the standard it was stomach turning. I know we will miss more than just Coach Miller of the Riders. We will miss all that is good in the Man and this game.
Good luck Ken. I wish a long and happy retirement.
Please drop by now and then. Just to remind us of how 1 classy individual can change a whole organization. Thanks again
Fred in Regina
Nice comment Fred. Miller a good coach and a nice guy. Best of luck coach! Time to turn the page a get a new man in charge though. As for org structure, Woz you are correct. Its really the credentials of the guy that matter more. Buono and Hufnagel have deep resumes, connections and are capable of bringing in the talent. (although Roy helps Wally a ton).
The sad part in all of this is Ken Miller is 4-5 this year. Seriously. With this deteriorating talent. Just imagine had he coached all year, we have made the playoffs.
Ken was always a good coach, though I believe he was too loyal to his veterans. The structure of him being his own boss and hamstringing the GM wasn't his fault. It was Hopson's. Ken with strong GM support was awesome. A man who could get the most of his players, while someone above him who could guide him in the right direction.
Bottom line, Ken will be missed. Thank you for making all of us in Rider Nation proud of this team and for making all of us feel like winners.
No brainer. Marcus Crandell.
Any chance Tamam will announce his "retirement"?
I will not miss Miller one bit and this couldn't come soon enough. Very poor roster management, poor in-game decisions, poor talent evaluator and way too loyal to the vets. Plaza of honor? Ya ok lol
Absolutely the man I would love to have had for a coach no matter what the sport. I wish he was my neighbour so I could visit with him every day. I feel like he is family and wish him well in retirement.
Any chance Hopson will announce his "retirement"?
The Anonymous poster 2 back stating only and nothing but negative information must be a juvenille. Obviously hasnt been alive long enough to remember the year's before Ken Miller. The 11 years of not making the playoffs. the medicoracy of the Barrett are. Man, just go away will ya
thank you Ken Miller, you have made the right choice for yourself & the team, you will be remembered & missed, I have to say that I have never watched so many rider games that kept me on the edge of my seat as when you were coaching the riders
thank you
A rider fan for 47 yrs, season ticket holder & rider share stakeholder
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