Miller Named Assistant Coach

Lincoln, Neb. -- Head coach Dan Kendig announced the hiring of Dan Miller as assistant coach for the Nebraska women's gymnastics team on Wednesday. Miller will take over coaching duties for the Huskers on vault and floor and replaces former NU assistant Tim Garrison, who was hired as the head coach at the University of Kentucky in April.

"I'm excited because of what Dan brings to the table," Kendig said. "He has a plethora of experience in that he has coached a long time and coached many elite and level 10 gymnasts in several different states and has owned a gym. He has coached and guided a number of athletes who have gone on and excelled in college. He is a great fit in the sense that we are moving into the Big Ten and he is well-connected to the clubs in Big Ten territory."

"He has a great personality and the girls already respect what he is doing," Kendig said. "He is going to help us do the things we need to do to be better. The combination of what Heather (Brink), Dan and I together can do together is great. We've covered all our bases and he is the final piece to the puzzle."

Miller served as owner and head coach for 12 years at Arena Gymnastics in Joliet, Ill. While at Arena, he coached over 50 Level 10 national qualifiers and 16 national team members. In addition, he has guided six gymnasts to Level 10 all-around championships and qualified over 20 gymnasts to the Region 5 All-Star Teams. With over 30 years of coaching experience, Miller has seen more than 30 athletes receive full-ride scholarships.

"During the last 15 years people have continually asked me why I haven't coached in college given that I've had such outstanding relationships with my older gymnasts," Miller said. "The thought has always been in my mind, but the right situation just wasn't there until now. To have the chance to work at a university like Nebraska is amazing. I've been given the opportunity to start my college coaching career at one of the top universities in women's gymnastics, and I am proud to be a part of the Nebraska gymnastics family."

In addition to his tenure at Arena, Miller served on the Region 5 Board and as the Region 5 Camp Director for over 10 years. He has been honored six times as the Region 5 Junior Olympic Coach of the Year and has been awarded the five and 10 year service award from USA Gymnastics. Miller also served as a coach at Cincinnati Gymnastics and Midwest Gymnastics.

Dan and his wife, Beth, have two sons: Brandon (9) and Kyle (7).

Nebraska, which returns six All-Americans in 2012, will open competition for their first year in the Big Ten Conference in January.