On October 9, Beloit College announced that Pat Miller would be taking the reins of athletic director. He succeeds former athletic director and current baseball coach David DeGeorge after a successful season, looking to breathe new life into the athletic department, both for the teams’ success and, more importantly, the student-athletes.
Miller joins the Buccaneers after spending 22 seasons as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater head men’s basketball coach. The Warhawks amassed a 434-167 record and two national championships under Miller. Miller, himself, earned four WIAC Coach of the Year, three Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division III Coach of the Year, two D3hoops.com National Coach of the Year, and two National Association of Basketball Coaches Division III Coach of the Year. These accomplishments earned Miller a spot in the UW-Whitewater Hall of Fame in 2024.
His incredible success at Whitewater left us wondering why he left for Beloit. According to Miller, an alum informed him of the job opening. Although he was hesitant at first to accept the job, after further consideration, Beloit sounded like the perfect opportunity.
Looking ahead, Miller shared that his short-term vision centers on understanding the people, culture, and history of the College. He said he’s had a great first month, getting to know campus leaders and student-athletes. In the immediate future, he aims to “dress up the facilities,” continue supporting the College’s athletics rebrand, and tackle “some of the low-hanging fruit” within the department. Long-term goals include exploring potential new facilities and ensuring Beloit keeps pace with peer institutions.
Miller is also clear about striking a balance between athletic competitiveness and academic excellence. He emphasized that athletics should “enhance the campus environment,” noting that success on the field strengthens recruiting while still upholding the College’s strong academic tradition. He highlighted the faculty’s willingness to collaborate with student-athletes as “a great early sign.”
Culture-building is a recurring theme in Miller’s leadership approach. One of the formative lessons from his coaching career is the importance of establishing clear expectations and fostering campus-wide collaboration. He hopes to bridge the perceived divides between athletes and non-athletes by engaging with groups like BSG and SAAC and encouraging initiatives that promote a sense of belonging. He noted he has already been encouraged by the campus community’s openness and willingness to work together.
When it comes to recruiting and attracting talent, Miller is confident in Beloit’s strengths. He described Beloit College as “an attractive place,” highlighting its unique student-faculty culture, strong alumni network, and the success stories of Beloiters making an impact after graduation. His philosophy is to “focus on what we have that is great” and present a narrative that aligns with the values and goals of prospective students.
As he settles into his new role, Miller is excited to immerse himself in the Beloit community, both on and off campus. Though the conversation also touched on lighter personal interests and favorite memories from his coaching days, Miller’s enthusiasm for this next chapter at Beloit was unmistakable.
Featured image: Beloit College
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