ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Associate Head Football Coach Jimmy Miller announced Thursday that he is stepping down at Bethel to become the new Defensive Coordinator at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Miller, who has been a mainstay with the Royals since 2001, will join UNW, where he was the head coach from 1991-2000.
 
"We've had many coaches throughout my tenure, but very few have had the ripple effect on players like Jimmy has," said head coach Steve Johnson. "He is a talented coach and gifted leader of men as well as a friend and brother. Our families are woven together. Jimmy is a sweet-hearted tough guy, who left his fingerprints all over our program and the lives of our players and coaches."
 
Since rejoining the Royals as a coach back in 2001, Miller has tutored 13 MIAC First-Team All-Conference recipients and one All-American (Brandon Carr, 2007). While serving as the Defensive Coordinator at Bethel up until 2015, BU's defense never finished lower than fourth in the MIAC in total defense. Moreover, the Royals finished first or second in points allowed eight times.
 
Miller, who graduated from Bethel in 1982 and is still revered as one of the best defensive backs to ever play in the MIAC, also played an integral part in helping the Royals' win four MIAC championships and two NCAA West Region titles. BU made seven NCAA Playoff appearances and amassed a 125-51 (.710) record with a 9-7 mark in the postseason during his tenure on the sidelines and in the booth.
 
"I will always have skin in the game at Bethel," noted Miller. "I am proud to be a member of this staff for so long and an alum of this institution. This place has changed my life."