Photo courtesy of External Affairs
Linebacker coach John Lindley.
Daniel Williams/Collegian
Basketball coach Brooks Miller.
Brooks Miller played at Hillsdale College under Coach Ed Douma from 2001-2003. When asked why he chose to return to coach at his alma mater Miller said, “I have always wanted to be a coach, and having the chance to coach at the college level for the same school I graduated from was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up.”
Miller graduated from the college in 2003 with a degree in physical education. While a player at Hillsdale under Douma, Miller earned GLIAC All-Defensive Team honors twice, in addition to his two GLIAC All-Academic honors.
Miller said that he would like to see the program become as prestigious as it was when he was a player. In 2001 and 2002 the Chargers had back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, with a GLIAC Southern Division championship in 2001.
After graduation, Miller returned to Evergreen High School in Metamora, Ohio, his alma mater, where he was a substitute teacher and assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach.
Miller said that he hopes to help out Douma during games by trying to come up with “as many quality ideas as possible” and make suggestions, even if Douma doesn’t like them.
“Some ideas he likes, others he doesn't, either way I just feed coach with as much info as possible,” said Miller.
In practice, he helps with player development, scouting, and overall execution of drills.
He said that he thinks that he will be able to relate to what the players are going through mentally as well as physically because he is only three years removed from playing.
“I like to challenge kids and see how they respond under adverse situations,” Miller said.
Linebacker Coach John Lindley comes to Hillsdale from Tiffin University, where he spent the 2004 season as the offensive line coach. Lindley has been coaching for 20 years at places such as Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan Universities, New Jersey City University and Michigan Technological University, were he spent three years before going to Tiffin.
“When my former teams played Hillsdale, they were always tough, hard-nosed guys,” Lindley said about what attracted him to coach at Hillsdale. “My philosophy is very much in line with the school’s. It’s a perfect fit.”
As for his coaching style, Lindley said that he likes toughness and intensity in his players.
“We will be known as the most aggressive linebackers in football,” Lindley.
Information on John Lindley is courtesy of Hillsdale College Charger Athletic website.