Marcus Miller Wins 300!

MARCUS MILLER ’76 entered his 32nd season as Head Raven, within striking distance of 300 career victories coaching high school boys varsity soccer and on April 19 under the lights, with our Ravens, wearing uniforms styled after his favorite team (Liverpool FC) our longtime, soccer coach Marcus Miller won game number 300 with a 2-1 decision over Danville.

Going into this season he owned a 295-198-10 career coaching record, winning 67% of the matches in which he’s been on the sideline. His teams have finished with a winning record 19 times, at least 10 wins 15 times and 15 wins five times. The top number being 19 victories in 1997.  Miller also helped get the Mid-Prairie Girls soccer program off the ground coaching the team for its first three years of play.

Under Miller’s direction, the program has reached the State tournament six times: in the fall of 1996, 1997 (winning the State Championship), 1998, 2000 and in the spring of 2018 and 2019.  

As evident by his tremendous record over 30 years Marcus has always found a way to get the most of his teams by building great team chemistry.  Marcus is considered a players coach, meaning he is there for his players on and off the field.  Miller doesn’t just preach his adopted motto of “you’ll never walk alone” to his soccer teams, he practices it. No matter what, he’s there for his team.  Congratulations Marcus on this major milestone in your coaching career! 

WHAT HIS PLAYERS HAD TO SAY

When we played for Marcus in the mid-90’s, he was very much a player’s coach. He asked and listened to the players but then formulated the game plan that he thought was best for us to win.  He always provided calm leadership and consistency to every aspect of our team’s success.  I have reflected often about my sports endeavors and what I learned from playing sports as a young adult at Iowa Mennonite School. I don’t know if coaches think about or realize how a small act at a specific moment can change young men’s lives.  And so it was for me, when Marcus pulled me aside during the season my freshman year and told me he wanted me to start dressing varsity. This was  a big moment in my life at that time. For this and other things along the way, I thank you Coach for all you have done for me and congratulations on hitting 300 W’s! – Clark Oswald ‘98

To those that have had the privilege of playing for Marcus it comes as no surprise we are at a point where we get to celebrate the rare achievement of 300 career wins! As a former player of his, I can tell you his success is due largely to the fact he possesses the unique ability to balance the moments where coaching is necessary with moments of instilling confidence in his players and allowing them to just play. The culture he has built is of trust in one’s teammates, a mutual respect between players and coaches, and putting the team before the individual while still placing value in the individual’s contributions. If you have ever heard Marcus talk or read any of his postgame interviews, you will notice he is always quick to give all the credit for any success to his players, coaching staff, and even his players’ parents above himself. So, this opportunity to recognize Marcus individually for his contributions as a head coach is long overdue and an honor that is well deserved. Thank you for all you have done, for all you are continuing to do, and congratulations Coach on this amazing accomplishment!” – Marshall Swartzendruber ‘98

“Marcus, Congrats on reaching this milestone. You are a great coach but you are an even better human being! Somehow you managed to make my favorite sport even more fun. I always looked forward to practicing and playing for you. Some of my fondest high school memories are from playing soccer. As an adult, it was great to coach with you and learn from you. It was a pleasure to mentor and watch the development of the players we coached together. You’ve touched many lives through your coaching, and I’m forever grateful for your service.” – Vince Rhodes ‘10

Congrats on win number 300, it was an honor being able to play for some of those wins as well as to coach alongside you for some of them. You are a big reason why I am still coaching today as well. Thanks for being such a great role model and example of what a great coach and person is supposed to be. Congrats again Marcus! – Truman Shetler ‘10

Congrats Marcus, on 300 wins Marcus! It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving coach. You always kept things light and fun, did a good job getting the best out of people who had hardly or never played before, and helped grow a love of the game for me personally. – Cole Ours ‘18

Marcus is the definition of a player’s coach: someone who you want to play for and give your all for, all while knowing you are cared for. The success in our 2017-19 years came largely due to the culture Marcus has created throughout the years. A culture where practice is enjoyable, you know your teammates have your back, and your coach genuinely wants the best for you. Congrats on this achievement Marcus, you have earned this honor with the many, many hours you have poured into the young men of this school throughout the years. – Jacob Boller ‘19