Miller completes successful career at Trine, takes CMU role

Brooks Miller, who led Trine University to its first NCAA Division III men’s basketball championship, has been named associate head coach at NCAA Division I Central Michigan University.

Miller will join the staff of Andy Bronkema, who was announced as the Chippewas’ head coach on April 14.

“There are so many people to thank for the countless memories we made here at Trine,” Miller said. “Trine University and the city of Angola will live in my heart forever and will always be the foundation of where Gretchen and I started our family. Thank you for embracing us as your own from the first day we stepped on campus. We will never forget the players: You mean more to us than you will ever know. Thank you for the ride of a lifetime!”

“Brooks Miller has taken Trine men’s basketball and Thunder athletics as a whole to a new level of success. He has been an instrumental part of solidifying our name among the top echelon of NCAA Division III athletics and leaves our men’s basketball team in a strong position for continued success,” said Matt Land, assistant vice president for athletics at Trine University, “I cannot thank him enough for his contributions to Trine University both on and off the court. He has been a crucial part of our family and, while we hope the best for him in his future endeavors, he will be missed.”

“None of the unprecedented success in Trine University men’s basketball, including the national championship last year, would have been possible without Brooks Miller’s leadership, determination and enthusiasm,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “His departure will definitely leave a void here at Trine, but we know he has set a foundation for continued success and excellence in Thunder men’s basketball. We wish him all the best.”

Brooks Miller finishes his career at Trine University with an overall record of 247-121, including 142-73 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play.

Besides winning the 2024 NCAA Division III national championship, Miller let the Thunder to MIAA championships in 2019, 2021 and 2024.

He was named 2021 NCAA Division III Coach of the Year by both hoopdirt.com/Just Play Sports Solutions and Basketball Times Magazine. In March 2024, he was again named NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year, receiving those accolades from D3Hoops.com and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). He also received the Glenn Robinson CollegeInsider.com National Coach of the Year for NCAA Division III that year.

Trine University student-athletes have flourished under his leadership, with three earning All-American honors: Ian Jackson in 2012-13, Nick Bowman in 2020-21 and Cortez Garland in 2023-24. In addition, Jared Holmquist was named Academic All-America Player of the Year/Academic All-American in 2015-16.

Trine men’s basketball team received NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards in 2014-15, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23, and has had 19 players named to NABC Honors Court.

Within the MIAA, the Thunder have had three Most Valuable Players, four Defensive Players of the Year and 35 honored as All-Conference under Miller’s leadership.