Ferris State Football Appoints Josh Miller To Coaching Staff

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football program, which reached the NCAA Division II National Championship game for the first time in school history last fall, has announced the appointment of Josh Miller as an assistant coach.

Miller, who helped win multiple national championships with the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) before most recently coaching at NCAA Division I Bowling Green, helps fill the void created earlier this spring by the departure of former assistant coach Ryan Brady, who was hired as the new head coach at fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Saginaw Valley State.

"We're thrilled to land a talented young coach like Josh Miller to be part of our staff," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "He brings a solid background of experience and will easily relate to the student-athletes we have in our program and those involved in the recruiting process. We're looking forward to his addition and believe he'll be a great fit for our staff."

A former standout signal caller at St. Francis (Ind.), Miller spent the 2018 campaign coaching wide receivers at NCAA Division I Bowling Green (Ohio). Falcons standout WR Scott Miller (no relation) earned All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors with 71 catches for 1,148 yards and 9 TDs under his directions. The 1,148 receiving yards rank No. 3 all-time at BGSU. Miller was also heavily involved in the recruiting process and coordinated the Defensive and Special Teams scout teams in addition to assisting in the game plans.

Prior to his stint at Bowling Green, Miller spent four years on the staff at his alma mater, perennial NAIA grid power St. Francis (Ind.). The Cougars' starting QBs were first-team All-MSFA picks during his two years as quarterbacks coach (2014-15) and Nick Ferrer was the 2015 MSFA Player of the Year after leading St. Francis to the NAIA national semifinals. Miller broadened his coaching horizons by switching to linebackers coach for the 2016 and 2017 seasons while also assisting on special teams. Five of his linebackers earned All-Conference recognition during those two years, helping St. Francis claim back-to-back NAIA national championships.

While on the staff at Saint Francis, Miller recruited heavily across Indiana and Ohio along with southern Michigan and the Detroit area. He also oversaw game day compliance initiatives and assisted with the recruiting budget and financial aid packaging. His efforts helped the school bring in a number of top recruits at their respective positions.

A four-year letterman and three-year captain with the Cougars from 2009-13, the two-time All-MSFA selection was named NAIA National Player of the Week for Sept. 21, 2013 after leading SFU to a 38-37 win against No. 7-ranked St. Ambrose (Iowa). In that game, Miller completed 25-of-37 passes for a career-high 412 yards with 18 of his 25 completions going for first downs. The 412 passing yards rank third all-time at St. Francis. He was also a two-time all-conference academic choice during his playing career.

Miller graduated from St. Francis with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. He earned his master's degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Francis in 2015.

The Bulldogs will begin their 111th season of varsity competition this coming fall with their sights set on making a sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. FSU returns 18 starters from last fall's historic campaign as is the preseason #2 team in the country by multiple sources.

Along with reaching the national title game last fall, the Bulldogs captured the GLIAC Championship in 2018 and won the Super Region Three title by winning their first four NCAA Playoff games en route to a historic run. The four playoff wins included FSU's first-ever National Semifinal victory at Minnesota State. Recently, SB Nation labeled FSU as Michigan's best football team of 2018 regardless of division.

Ferris State will open the 2019 season at home under the lights on Thursday, Sept. 5, against the Findlay Oilers in non-league action at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET).