Tigers assistant steps down
Mike Miller’s tenure as an assistant coach with the Memphis basketball team has ended.
Mike Miller‘s tenure as an assistant coach for the Memphis basketball team ended Wednesday.
Miller, who was making $500,000 a year, tweeted he intends to “spend more time focused on family and wherever the journey will take me next.”
Widely regarded as the Tigers' most valuable recruiting assistant, the former first-round draft pick who won two NBA championships with the Miami Heat has spent the past two seasons on Penny Hardaway's staff.
“The past two years have been amazing, and
I have so many people to thank: Coach Hardaway for believing in me, all our players for their commitment, the University of Memphis and its incredible fans, my wonderful wife and kids, and the entire city of Memphis for everything you have done for me and my family,” Miller's full statement reads. “All of you made this opportunity possible for me, and I'm truly grateful. As much as I've loved this job and had a blast being part of the special program Coach is building, the past few months have made me realize that it's time for me to spend more time focused on family and wherever the journey will take me next.
“I will find a way to stay in basketball and continue to make an impact on this city that I love so much! I will always be a TIGER. GTG.”
Hardaway wished Miller well in a statement: “We will stay in touch and I'm looking forward to him attending practices from time to time.”
Miller, 40, helped Memphis reach the National Invitation Tournament in 2019. The Tigers' 2020 season was cut short when the AAC Tournament, NCAA Tournament and NIT were all cancelled in the ongoing effort to combat the spread of coronavirus.
He is credited with spearheading the recruitment of freshman stars Precious Achiuwa, Lester Quinones and Boogie Ellis last offseason.
Miller spent a total of seven seasons with the Grizzlies as a player across two stints. The NBA Rookie of the Year for the Orlando Magic in 2001 was also named the NBA'S Sixth Man of the Year in 2006 after averaging 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds with the Grizzlies.
Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch also issued a statement that included: “I have the utmost respect for his decision to spend more time with his family.”
Miller's sons Mason and Mavrick will be a senior and sophomore, respectively, at Houston High in Germantown. Mason is a 6-foot-9, fourstar power forward with offers from Memphis, Creighton and TCU.
Miller owns and operates Let It Fly Sports Bar, which opened in Germantown in October 2019. Miller is also part-owner of multiple Burgerfi locations, including one in Germantown.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.