St. Mary’s Chuck Miller named IAAM Basketball Coach of the Year

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

Chuck Miller has won his share of championships — five at Severn from 2003 to 2014 — in a long and distinguished career coaching basketball in the iAAM.

His sixth title, and his first at St. Mary’s, took things to an even higher level this season in that the Saints were a perfect 27-0 with the veteran mentor at the helm.

That outstanding effort made him a favorite among his peers, who voted for Miller to be named the IAAM Basketball Coach of the Year.

According to Miller, good fortune was a major part of the Saints’ success this season, mostly because of the influx of young talent that helped turn last year’s 11-9 squad into an absolute juggernaut this winter.

“When you have some of the best freshmen (guard Gabby Mitchell and guard/forwards Alexandra Vandiver and Bailey Harris) show up, I just feel like I’m a lucky guy.”

Those newcomers, melding with junior point guard Baily Walden and other returnees, made life easier for Miller and assistant coaches Leo Latonick, Leah Hurst and Bill Sabia.

The Saints’ narrowest margin of victory this season was seven points with that coaching staff and videographer Larry Mociniak getting the most out of the players.

“What would an old guy like me be without them,”? Miller asked rhetorically, referring to his fellow coaches and a talented roster.

Miller raved about his team’s chemistry.

“It was quite a thrill just watching them play,” he said. “They meshed as friends and really cared for each other. The kids truly like, and in some cases love, each other.”

Moreover, Miller said that St. Mary’s athletic director Allison Fondale provided the team with the wherewithal to make a championship run.

“I can’t say enough about Allison,” he said. She goes out of her way to make sure that everything is right for us.”

Fondale said that Miller’s career speaks for itself.

“Chuck has a long history of success in the IAAM having coached at St. Mary's for nine years (JV, varsity), Severn for 16 years (varsity) and now at St. Mary's (varsity) for the past six seasons,” she said. “He has amassed over 300 wins over his career. Chuck believes in keeping it simple, instilling a solid work ethic and ultimately ensuring that time spent on basketball is fun.

“He believes in instilling confidence and allowing players to make mistakes. He respects his opponents, colleagues, fans and officials. Coaches throughout the league call him for advice. He is a good listener and mentor. Officials enjoy coaching his games as he coaches with a lollipop in his mouth and does not dispute calls that are made.”

Fondale added that Miller’s sportsmanship and school spirit are top notch.

"He congratulates opposing coaches and players on their performance and is liked by all,” she said. “Chuck attends all of his players' other sporting events and attends sporting events of coaches’ children. He is the coach that others look to for advice as he willingly shares his experiences. He keeps in touch with his former players and players and parents come to our games each year just to see Chuck. He is a special coach and one of a kind.”