Mike Miller Notches 500th Career Victory

(Nov. 22) - LA City College men's basketball coach Mike Miller has achieved a coaching milestone that few head basketball coaches ever attain - 500 career victories. Miller reached the coveted mark with a 72-62 win over Feather River Community College at the Columbia College Tournament, Sunday, Nov. 17, in Sonora, Calif.

Miller's 500th career win also marked his 400th career win at LA City College. Only four of those victories have come from COA-sanctioned competitions against four-year college junior varsity teams. Miller's overall record is 500-100 for an 83.3 winning percentage. His record at LA City College is 400-84 (.826). Miller captured his 400th overall career victory on Feb. 8, 2003, with an 85-74 win over Saddleback College. Additionally, Miller has coached the Cubs to 13 consecutive South Coast Conference men's basketball championships.

Within an hour of his 500th victory, former players and numerous NCAA Division I and professional coaches from throughout the United States and around the world were relaying congratulatory text messages or voice mail messages to Miller.

Romel Beck, a former All-American and starting guard on LA City's 2003 State Championship team (36-2), texted from Europe where is playing professional basketball, "Congratulations Coach Miller on your 500th win! You're the best coach I have ever played for. Good luck in 06-07."

Iona College head basketball coach and former NBA star, Jeff Ruland, texted, "Congratulations on your 500th career win. You earned every one of them. Regards, Jeff."

Before taking the Cubs to national recognition, Miller had phenomenal success at Cathedral High School (Los Angeles) and Ribet Academy. At Cathedral, Miller guided the Phantoms to two League titles and two CIF Final Four appearances.

His success continued at Ribet where he coached two consecutive CIF Championship teams and won the 1991 California Division V State Championship.

In his four years as a high school head coach, Miller recorded the third highest winning percentage in California high school basketball history (.862) and a 100-16 record.

Miller has been honored as "Coach of the Year" sixteen times in his 18 seasons as a head coach at both the high school and junior college levels, and has coached eight teams to 30 or more victories during their seasons. However, he is most proud of advancing over 60 players to NCAA Division I institutions.

In addition to his duties as head basketball coach, Miller serves as Athletic Director for Los Angeles City College. He is also current President of the South Coast Conference.