Jeff Miller (2002) - Hall of Fame - Indiana State University Athletics

Hall of Fame

Jeff Miller

Class

1986
Induction

2002
Sport(s)

Football

If college football recruiting coordinators had only realized what Jeff Miller would do over his four-year playing career, they might have recruited him a little more heavily. As such, only Ball State and Indiana State gave the Ossian, Indiana, native much notice and Miller chose to attend Indiana State based on a comfort level he felt with head coach Dennis Raetz and his coaching staff.

A redshirt in 1981, Miller took over the starting quarterback duties three games into the 1982 season. By the time his career came to an end following the 1985 campaign, he held no fewer than 15 Indiana State individual records, had been named to 17 pre- or post-season all-Conference or all-America squads, seven post-season Academic teams, was twice selected as Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year .... and found time to hit the books enough to earn a Rhodes Scholarship nomination.

Following graduation, he signed a free-agent contract with the defending Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears. While he may have had better opportunities elsewhere, he wanted to an opportunity to play close to his family and friends. Ultimately, Miller was cut as the Bears fielded a roster containing quarterbacks Jim McMahon, Mike Tomczak and Steve Fuller. Following his release, he was picked up by the Detroit Lions, but a lingering shoulder injury led to his not passing a routine physical.

Miller spent a handful of years in private business before answering a call to return to the game which had been so good to him, beginning a career as an assistant football coach in 1992 at his alma mater, Norwell High School. He ascended to the head coach’s position prior to the 2000 season and smiled in the fact that his 2002 Knights opened the season with a 3-and-oh mark.