MONROE - Curt Miller won't need any masking tape or a permanent black marker to etch the names of players onto helmets as the new head football coach of Monroe.
Miller, who has served as an assistant coach the past four years, kicked off the football season with the first official practice Tuesday.
"I'm very excited," Miller said. "Fortunately, our administration felt I would be a good fit."
Miller replaces Tom Witt as head coach after Witt stepped down. Witt will serve as the Cheesemakers' defensive coordinator.
"He's a great coach," Miller said. "It would have been a big loss if he didn't want to come back at all. Football is a huge commitment."
Making a commitment to jump into the head coaching position shouldn't be a problem. Miller understands the demands that come with the territory. Miller comes from a football family with coaching roots.
Miller played quarterback at Waterloo High School, where his father, Doug Miller, is in his 27th year coaching. Curt Miller went on to play football at Carroll College, a Division III school in Waukesha.
Miller is not immune to adversity. In his senior season at Carroll College, he made the transition to wide receiver and earned more playing time.
The Cheesemakers are coming off an 0-9 season and were 2-16 the past two years.
"We are not worried about what our end-of-the-season record will be," Miller said. "We are going to take it one game at a time. It's a new year."
Miller said the main focus is getting ready for a scrimmage against Evansville and New Glarus-Monticello on Aug. 22 in New Glarus.
Miller said there will be a higher level of intensity at practice than before.
"It's not like we were lounging before," he said. "They will have to crank it up a notch. If you practice better, you will play better.
"The kids know if I get fired up about something, I mean business."
Now Miller and his father attend coaching clinics and schools together.
Miller has learned how to treat athletes fairly, with respect, and make them feel a connection to the program, which were tenants of Doug Miller's tutelage.
Miller said the best coaching advice he received from his father was to surround yourself with good people.
"That's been my No. 1 goal," Miller said. "I think we have an outstanding staff."
Miller, who has served as an assistant coach the past four years, kicked off the football season with the first official practice Tuesday.
"I'm very excited," Miller said. "Fortunately, our administration felt I would be a good fit."
Miller replaces Tom Witt as head coach after Witt stepped down. Witt will serve as the Cheesemakers' defensive coordinator.
"He's a great coach," Miller said. "It would have been a big loss if he didn't want to come back at all. Football is a huge commitment."
Making a commitment to jump into the head coaching position shouldn't be a problem. Miller understands the demands that come with the territory. Miller comes from a football family with coaching roots.
Miller played quarterback at Waterloo High School, where his father, Doug Miller, is in his 27th year coaching. Curt Miller went on to play football at Carroll College, a Division III school in Waukesha.
Miller is not immune to adversity. In his senior season at Carroll College, he made the transition to wide receiver and earned more playing time.
The Cheesemakers are coming off an 0-9 season and were 2-16 the past two years.
"We are not worried about what our end-of-the-season record will be," Miller said. "We are going to take it one game at a time. It's a new year."
Miller said the main focus is getting ready for a scrimmage against Evansville and New Glarus-Monticello on Aug. 22 in New Glarus.
Miller said there will be a higher level of intensity at practice than before.
"It's not like we were lounging before," he said. "They will have to crank it up a notch. If you practice better, you will play better.
"The kids know if I get fired up about something, I mean business."
Now Miller and his father attend coaching clinics and schools together.
Miller has learned how to treat athletes fairly, with respect, and make them feel a connection to the program, which were tenants of Doug Miller's tutelage.
Miller said the best coaching advice he received from his father was to surround yourself with good people.
"That's been my No. 1 goal," Miller said. "I think we have an outstanding staff."
