Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 15, 1995 TAG: 9508150034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And it's a ``Killer.''
It's high noon Monday and in the low 90s, and George ``Killer'' Miller is wearing a long-sleeved sweatshirt. The new Fleming head coach could be making one of those deodorant commercials. He refuses to let the Colonels see him sweat.
``It's not hot out here,'' Miller says, very convincingly. ``It's all in your minds.'' Then he sees a couple of players standing heads down, waiting in line to sprint.
``We're not playing against the ants,'' Miller said. ``So, there's no reason to look down. Watch what your teammates are doing. Keep your heads up.''
That last sentence seems to be his primary message, and there's no question Miller time has arrived. When he finishes a statement with a question, the answer is loud and in unison.
``Yes sir!''
He wants to build the Fleming program, not just mold a team that plays its opener Sept.1 at Victory Stadium against Heritage. He didn't need the job that opened when Sherley Stuart retired after nine seasons. Miller was and is an assistant principal at Fleming, where he also happens to be a living legend.
After Miller took the job, he went to the three middle schools in the Roanoke City system that feed Fleming to seek help. Those schools don't have athletics, but from Ruffner, Breckinridge and Addison, 154 players signed up to play football for Fleming's freshman team.
Half of that number appeared for the start of workouts Monday, but the increased interest - while it warms Miller and creates a potential foundation - isn't going to help a young Colonels' varsity improve from the 1-9 finish of a year ago.
There's no question, however, that Miller's presence could bring a changed attitude to the program.
When Stuart made it known he wouldn't return, Miller went after the job. ``I expected to get it,'' he said. ``And if I didn't, I knew I wouldn't be allowed to coach here in anything again.''
His success in his office, in Fleming's hallways, and in athletics - primarily as the Colonels' wrestling coach - has been impressive. However, when he gave up coaching in the 1994-95 school year to concentrate on administration, he wasn't happy.
``It was really different for me trying to watch from the stands,'' Miller said. ``Being in the bleachers, with a two-way radio instead of wearing a headset [as one of Stuart's assistants], made me feel like I was wearing handcuffs. It was like being in prison.''
Miller believes he can combine football coaching and administration, particularly because the season is over early in the school year, before potential disciplinary difficulties can multiply. Part of that notion is rooted in Miller's two decades as a teacher, coach and administrator at the school he attended in the mid-60s.
``I've been in the game so long, it's part of my life,'' Miller said. ``That's one reason I wanted to do this. The tough choice wasn't coming back to coaching. The tough choice was getting out of athletics a year ago. There's a lot of pride at stake for me here. I don't just work here. I graduated from here.''
Miller was an all-state wrestler and football player at Fleming before going to Elizabeth City State, where he also captained the football and wrestling teams. He's 43, ``and I feel fortunate that I've attained most of the goals I set for myself when I was growing up.''
So, he's intent on helping the next generation do that. First, with many students, he says, you have to get them to set goals.
``What's been missing here, at Fleming, is the pride that all students should have instilled in them to try out for the sports that they have the talent to play. Our school has had to win with what we've had. We have to help change that. The kids have to have enough pride in themselves to come out for other reasons other than they're asked.
``We also need the parents and the community to encourage kids to participate and be proud, win, lose or draw. Be proud of the effort. Let me say that as a coach of one sport, I'm going to encourage kids to play other sports - two others if they can handle it. As a matter of fact, I expect them to play another sport besides football.''
And if Miller isn't the right man for his new job, there's only one question left.
Who is?
by CNB