Triton Central graduate part of IU coaching staff at Rose Bowl

All Jaxon Miller knew when he graduated from Triton Central is he was going to play college football at Army.

Being at the hallowed Army-Navy game quickly became a treasured memory, but Miller wanted a bigger challenge, and a middling Indiana University program was ready to give him a chance.

Miller transferred to Bloomington, much closer to home, and played the 2023 season for Tom Allen. The Hoosiers finished 3-9 and Allen was subsequently fired which left Miller with uncertainty about his own future.

Then the tidal wave level of confidence of Curt Cignetti arrived. Despite changes to the coaching staff, Miller earned a roster spot and was a first-hand witness to the Hoosiers’ run to national prominence.

Miller finished his Sports Marketing and Management degree, but IU was not ready to let him go. He was offered a role as special teams assistant coach by the Special Teams Coordinator.

What IU was getting was a natural born leader who never materialized into a steady contributor on the field. What Miller received was a Big Ten Championship on his resume and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

“It’s been a crazy 4-5 years now,” admitted Miller. “I’ve been to a lot of cool places.”

Miller is currently in Pasadena, California, preparing for Thursday’s Rose Bowl game against Alabama.

The Hoosiers’ first loss of the season will bring an end, for now, to Miller’s coaching career. He will join the Beech Grove police force following the conclusion of the college football season.

“This has been a cool opportunity,” he said. “I’ve got my degree. We will see what happens next.”

Miller will spend the Rose Bowl working with IU’s kickers, punters and long snappers. Miller was a nationally ranked long snapper while at Triton Central. He also will work with personnel groupings with special teams and decipher what Alabama will be doing with its special teams units.

As a former player that has dealt with a redshirt year and seasons with limited playing time, Miller is intimately familiar with the ins and outs of IU’s schemes and his experience can be invaluable as a coach.

“It definitely does help,” said Miller. “You practice working with the scout team. I’ve been in the shoes with these guys and I know how stuff works. I have an appreciation for the game.”

Playing and coaching, especially being in an authoritative position with players he suited up with, can be challenging.

“I’ve learned to adjust on the fly and adapt to situations,” said Miller. “Playing gives me an advantage in a sense. I’ve been able to live what these guys have lived before. I’ve been in the scheme a long time.”

Jaxon Miller with his mother, Suzanne, and father, Frank.

IU’s first year under Cignetti ended with a postseason playoff loss at Notre Dame, 27-17, on Dec. 20, 2024. Miller believes the culture shift was instrumental to this year’s team being even better.

“It was a great way to build confidence and show what IU can do,” he said. “We were never in that situation before. To go somewhere with a lot of fans, we gained a lot of experience going into bigger games and winning.”

That was never more evident than when the Hoosiers went to Oregon and produced a 30-20 victory on Oct. 11. That catapulted the Hoosiers into the Big Ten title picture. Seven weeks later, IU defeated top-ranked and defending national champion Ohio State, 13-10, in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis.

“It’s been a complete turnaround in the fan base,” said Miller. “The bus ride to the stadium, Hoosier fans were losing their minds. It was like a home game for us.”

Jaxon Miller with IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza and his Heisman Trophy.

With his commitment to coaching, Miller lamented he could not spend Friday nights watching Triton Central football this past season. His new career as a police officer should afford him more free time to follow the Tigers.

“I still talk to coach (Tim) Able whenever I get a chance,” said Miller. “I am proud to be an alumni.”

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Thursday for the Rose Bowl featuring Alabama (11-3) and Indiana (13-0).

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