Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Cross Country Coach Jill Miller Inks Multi-Year Contract Extension
4/2/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
EVANSTON, Ill. (April 2, 2024) – Northwestern head women's cross country coach Jill Miller has signed a multi-year contract extension, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg announced on Tuesday. A native of Dublin, Ohio, Miller is set to begin her sixth season leading the Wildcats in 2024.
"Coach Miller is a natural leader who has grown the cross country program since coming to Evanston in 2019," said Gragg. "She has set a new standard for our program, inclusive of both academics and athletics, and is entirely focused on her student-athletes and staff."
"I want to thank Dr. Gragg for his leadership and entrusting me with this position as well as Janna Blais, my sport administrator and Senior Women's Administrator, for providing exceptional support to me and our student-athletes," said Miller. "I have found Northwestern to be unique for many reasons, but most important to me is the way we collaborate to support our student-athletes holistically. This happens because of our remarkable coaching and support staff as well as the support I receive from coaches across all 19 sports, our alumni, and donors. I have the utmost gratitude for the synergy between our medical team and coaching staff, which makes a profound impact upon our student-athletes' physical and mental health, well-being, and performance."
Since her arrival in Evanston prior to the start of the 2019 campaign, Miller has elevated Wildcat cross country to new heights. In 2022, she piloted the 'Cats to a fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, marking the program's top showing at the league meet since 1986. Miller's crew raised the bar just two weeks later, placing second overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional to earn the first NCAA Championships appearance for Northwestern in 20 years.
During her time with the 'Cats, Miller has aided in the development of three All-Big Ten Conference honorees and nine United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region selections.
Miller's work has been evident in the development of Rachel McCardell and Ava Earl. One of the most decorated Wildcats in program history, McCardell was a two-time All-Big Ten pick and twice qualified for the NCAA Championships. She placed third overall at the 2022 NCAA Midwest Regional, the top individual finish at the event in Northwestern annals. This past season, Earl led a group of three Wildcats to take home All-Region distinction, taking eighth at the regional meet en route to appearing at the NCAA Championships, where she was the second-highest finisher ever for Northwestern.
Excellence in the classroom has also been a hallmark of Miller's tenure, with 73 Wildcats receiving Academic All-Big Ten honors since 2019. Following the 2022 season, McCardell was tabbed a Second Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Prior to joining the 'Cats, Miller served as the head women's cross country coach at the University of Wisconsin, where she led the Badgers to three top-10 finishes and four top-15 showings at the NCAA Championships. Individually, her student-athletes won four Big Ten titles and one NCAA Championship. In addition to stops at the College of William & Mary and Brown University, Miller has mentored 25 All-Americans and 27 All-Region selections between cross country and track & field. She has guided six of her cross country teams to top-20 showings at the NCAA Championships.
"I look forward to continuing to elevate all aspects of our program and inspiring our student-athletes to believe in themselves, commit to the sport and each other, and achieve at the highest levels both academically and athletically," concluded Miller.
Miller, a graduate of Wake Forest University, was a four-time qualifier for the NCAA Championships and helped the Demon Deacons to the program's first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title in 2002.
"Coach Miller is a natural leader who has grown the cross country program since coming to Evanston in 2019," said Gragg. "She has set a new standard for our program, inclusive of both academics and athletics, and is entirely focused on her student-athletes and staff."
"I want to thank Dr. Gragg for his leadership and entrusting me with this position as well as Janna Blais, my sport administrator and Senior Women's Administrator, for providing exceptional support to me and our student-athletes," said Miller. "I have found Northwestern to be unique for many reasons, but most important to me is the way we collaborate to support our student-athletes holistically. This happens because of our remarkable coaching and support staff as well as the support I receive from coaches across all 19 sports, our alumni, and donors. I have the utmost gratitude for the synergy between our medical team and coaching staff, which makes a profound impact upon our student-athletes' physical and mental health, well-being, and performance."
Since her arrival in Evanston prior to the start of the 2019 campaign, Miller has elevated Wildcat cross country to new heights. In 2022, she piloted the 'Cats to a fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, marking the program's top showing at the league meet since 1986. Miller's crew raised the bar just two weeks later, placing second overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional to earn the first NCAA Championships appearance for Northwestern in 20 years.
During her time with the 'Cats, Miller has aided in the development of three All-Big Ten Conference honorees and nine United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region selections.
Miller's work has been evident in the development of Rachel McCardell and Ava Earl. One of the most decorated Wildcats in program history, McCardell was a two-time All-Big Ten pick and twice qualified for the NCAA Championships. She placed third overall at the 2022 NCAA Midwest Regional, the top individual finish at the event in Northwestern annals. This past season, Earl led a group of three Wildcats to take home All-Region distinction, taking eighth at the regional meet en route to appearing at the NCAA Championships, where she was the second-highest finisher ever for Northwestern.
Excellence in the classroom has also been a hallmark of Miller's tenure, with 73 Wildcats receiving Academic All-Big Ten honors since 2019. Following the 2022 season, McCardell was tabbed a Second Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Prior to joining the 'Cats, Miller served as the head women's cross country coach at the University of Wisconsin, where she led the Badgers to three top-10 finishes and four top-15 showings at the NCAA Championships. Individually, her student-athletes won four Big Ten titles and one NCAA Championship. In addition to stops at the College of William & Mary and Brown University, Miller has mentored 25 All-Americans and 27 All-Region selections between cross country and track & field. She has guided six of her cross country teams to top-20 showings at the NCAA Championships.
"I look forward to continuing to elevate all aspects of our program and inspiring our student-athletes to believe in themselves, commit to the sport and each other, and achieve at the highest levels both academically and athletically," concluded Miller.
Miller, a graduate of Wake Forest University, was a four-time qualifier for the NCAA Championships and helped the Demon Deacons to the program's first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title in 2002.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
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