CSI - IOWA CITY

Because his wife made him:

Miller seemed destined to build a dynasty in Iowa City.

They cherished their home in the hills, and the fans offered unconditional support.

But one element was too much to bear.

"The last year we won them all - we were 20-0 - but it was the worst weather you could imagine," Jean Miller recalled. "It was below zero. Students had to cover their faces to avoid frostbite.

That year, there was hail that killed cattle. We had to take the kids to the coliseum basement when the tornado sirens sounded. "When we got to the Final Four that year, I said, 'find a place with an opening that has a moderate climate.'"

That place was Oregon State, where Paul Valenti had just stepped down.
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Ralph Miller
 
Just wondering. Those were heated times. Evy left in May of 1970. Why no contract after a Big Ten Title?
 
That winter about killed Miller. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that he was leaving even before the end of the Big Ten season. The only question; was where?

Plus, the Evy-Nagel feud didn't help. Nagel actually was turning around the football program. Wikipedia has a very good piece summarizing the feud & the Black Boycott.

Ray Nagel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Was there bad blood between Evy and the basketball program or did Miller being the great coach and person that he was just move on ?
 
Evy should have never been an AD. He was a great coach and should have either kept coaching or moved on. Nothing was really talked about on Evy's relationship with the other sports, he just seemed to always stick his nose into the football program. From everything I read on the situation it seemed like Evy regretted giving up the Head Coaching job.
 
Wow. I was in Iowa City as a grad student during that mess and frankly, I don't recall any of it. Thank you for posting the link to the story...I never realized (or recalled) the gory details.
 
dmackindm said:
Was there bad blood between Evy and the basketball program or did Miller being the great coach and person that he was just move on ?
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Not sure you could say it was bad blood. MOreso that Evy's focus was football and other sports were secondary, or so it would seem.

After the 1970 record, the AD situation and better weather in Oregon, it was a natural time to move on. Other than Fred Brown, there was not much talent returning. I have only vague memories of that time but I dont recall any strong reaction to his leaving. I think most people thought it was just his time to move on.
 
Evashevski also screwed Burns when he became HC. He gutted the football budget so much that they were taking visitors out to eat to the Quadrangle Cafeteria!
 
That was a good read, he has passed on by now hasn't he as this was written it appears 10 years ago already? Too bad he didn't stay, but I guess that Lute guy wasn't too shabby...If only we can keep a legend longer then 6 or 7 years, Fran??!
 
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