Men's Basketball 8/11/2017 9:04:00 AM

Miller "Coming Home", Accepts Assistant Basketball Coaching Position

Josh "Cookie" Miller is a local basketball legend.

Now he is trading in his sneakers for a whistle as he has just been named the West Virginia State University assistant men's basketball coach.

"It's like I'm coming home," Miller said. "The opportunity came along at the perfect time."

As is does with all athletes, time was beginning to catch up to him.

"I just turned 30," Miller said. "My mind was still on playing more but when Coach offered me this it was a blessing."

WVSU Head Coach Bryan Poore sees the hiring as an opportunity for the Yellow Jackets.

"I am thrilled to have Cookie Miller join our staff," said Poore. "His career here as a player speaks for itself and it makes him a great person for this job. He put two years of dedication into the program and so his investment level from the start is higher than the average person."

The Charleston native had an outstanding prep career that culminated with him being named the West Virginia High School Player of the Year as a senior at Capital High School.

After graduation he was recruited by colleges such as Akron, Xavier, Toledo, and Cleveland State before signing with Nebraska.

The 5-foot-7 point guard played two full seasons there and was only the second player in Cornhusker history to record to record 100 or more assists as both a freshman and sophomore. The other is former NBA player and current Cleveland Cavalier Coach Tyron Lue.

He then transferred to West Virginia State where he led the 2009-10 Yellow Jacket squad to a 29-4 mark, conference tournament championship, and final ranking of 12 in the nation. Miller averaged 19.7 points, 5.1 assists, and set a program single season record with 80 steals that season.

After another stellar year as a senior he took his considerable talents overseas where he has been playing professional ever since. Miller has returned home though after each season and has worked tirelessly with youngsters in his old neighborhood.

Now he has come home to stay.

"I really believe our players will benefit greatly from his experiences on this campus as a student-athlete, his knowledge of the game and more importantly his passion and enthusiasm for life," Poore said.

The veteran coach served as a mentor to Miller in his younger days giving much needed help that his new assistant is quick to credit the veteran coach for providing.

"It kind of has me at a loss for words," Miller said, obviously emotional. "I'm talking about coming back to coach for someone who, in many ways, saved my life."

He replaces Aaron Nixon who left the program to accept another position.

The Yellow Jackets open the season November 11 and 12 when they host the Earl Lloyd Classic.

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