The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced on Wednesday that former head coach and offensive coordinator Ken Miller passed away at the age of 82 after a brief battle with cancer at his home in Asheville, North Carolina. The team released a statement on X.
“The Saskatchewan Roughriders are heartbroken over the passing of former Head Coach Ken Miller. Ken was part of the Roughriders for a prosperous five seasons that included a Grey Cup Championship in 2007 as the offensive coordinator and two additional Grey Cup appearances in 2009 and 2010 when he was the head coach.
A beloved leader of men, he was a finalist for Coach of the Year in all three full seasons he led the Roughriders. We were honored to induct him into the SaskTel Plaza of Honor as a builder in 2022. Perhaps the only thing that matched his skill as a football coach was the way he made you feel his presence. Whether you were just meeting him for the first time or knew him well, you felt his warmth and genuine kindness. We will miss him dearly.
On behalf of Rider Nation, we send our love and condolences to his wife Maureen, his family, friends, and loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Ken Miller started his coaching career in 1966 at Dickinson State University. Next, he coached at Yucaipa High School in California for seven years with a 250–235–2 record leading the Bulldogs to win the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 1991. After Yucaipa High School, Miller returned to college football this time at the University of Redlands in California.
During his time at Redlands, he was the offensive line coach, head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. His coaching record at the University of Redlands was 10-29. He spent 23 years there before becoming a quarterback coach for the Toronto Argonauts in 2002. From 2003 to 2005, he was the offensive line coach, and a defensive line coach in 2006.
In 2007, he joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as the offensive coordinator to head coach Kent Austin. The Roughriders finished in second place with a 12-6 record. They beat the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Semi-Final and the B.C. Lions in the Western Final to advance to the 95th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where they won 23-19.
The Roughriders finished the season scoring 530 points, quarterback Kerry Joseph completed 267 of 459 passes (58.2%) for 4,002 yards, 24 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 90 carries for 737 yards, and 13 touchdowns on his way to being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player, a CFL All-Star, and a CFL West All-Star in 2007.
Saskatchewan head coach Kent Austin left to become the offensive coordinator for Mississippi State and Miller took over the coaching job in 2008 at the age of 66. In addition to the Grey Cup appearances, Miller guided Saskatchewan to one West Division title in 2009.
In addition to his coaching duties, he was also the Vice President of Football Operations. His final coaching season was in 2011 after taking over for Greg Marshall following a 1-7 start and led the team to a 4-6 record finishing the season 5-13.
After six years away from the CFL, Miller returned to be an offensive consultant for the Montreal Alouettes from 2017-24. The Alouettes won the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24.
