One simple quote personifies the new Brandon Miller era for Butler basketball."I'm not Brad Stevens, I'm Brandon Miller."
This is what Miller told the flock of local media and some of this year's players in attendance. What I took away from the 2003 Butler graduate was that he fits the "Butler Way" perfectly. After only talking for around 20 minutes at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday, Miller showed he has what it takes to shine in his new role.
As Butler athletic director and former coach of Miller, Barry Collier, said: "People that know him struggle a picture of him and a picture of a real bulldog, not just from how many times he has broken his nose."
Perfect fit, right?
This is the fourth straight time that Butler has promoted an assistant coach to their next head coach. Outside of Miller, the three others are Thad Matta, Todd Lickliter and Stevens. Miller keeps with what Butler has had a trend of for years, and it has worked well.
As Collier also said on Saturday, "Brandon is one of the rising stars in the business."
With Miller's track record, who can not believe Miller has "star coach in the making" written on him? Miller has been an assistant coach under big college names such as John Groce and the aforementioned Matta. The New Castle, IN native also had a first stint with the 'Dawgs on the sidelines back during the 2007-08 season.
Miller also played for Butler as well. He was the point guard under Collier's Butler squad that caught the eyes of many, as they made a few surprising tournament runs during his time playing there (2000-03). Miller's career stats rank among Butler's all-time greats. He was near the top in points (1,121), three-point field goals (189) and assists (305).
With their coaching situation now solved after Stevens moved on to the Boston Celtics, July will be a key month for Miller. As he told the media, he will meet individually with all the current assistant coaches on the roster.
"I'm going to sit down with the guys that are currently on the staff, and we're going to meet and we're going to talk about that individually. We're going to get the best staff that fits Butler University, that knows Butler University, that fits in terms of what our guys are used to, but also what the best fit is long-term."
There is growing belief that Miller will retain the two current assistants: Terry Johnson and Michael Lewis; but we will get 100-percent confirmation on that soon.
July is also a key month for recruiting as well for Miller's staff. With how late Stevens left in the offseason, the 2014 class will be all Miller's. This is a pure rarity for new head coaches right out of the gate. Miller and his staff will likely be all over the country look at prospects for his own 2014 class.
Saturday's new hiring will not have any change on current players as well, I confirmed through multiple player direct messages that nobody will transfer from Butler. With no players bailing out, it truly shows how much of a grasp Miller has on the players.
Miller is no Stevens, but he has a humble attitude and mindset to be a game-changer in the coaching ranks. That is exactly why Butler is in great hands heading into the Big East. Even though there has been a seismic change at the top, one thing is for certain: Miller truly personifies the "Butler Way."
As senior forward Khyle Marshall ran up and hugged Miller on the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse court after the press conference, you could only think one thing: Butler got another gem of a coach here.
