Blake Miller

Blake Randolph Miller (born August 23, 1968) is an American former professional football center and coach who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and also had stints with the New England Patriots and New York Giants. He later was a coach.

Early life Miller was born on August 23, 1968, in Alexandria, Louisiana. He attended Alexandria Senior High School, where he won two varsity letters and was a starting offensive tackle and long snapper. As a senior, he was named first-team Class AAAA All-State. He was named one of the top 24 recruits in the state by the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and committed to play college football for the LSU Tigers over a number of other offers. He ultimately returned to guard before the season began and played in 10 games as a backup, also serving as backup center but not seeing any action in that role. He started all but one of the team's games and helped them reach a bowl game. He entered the 1990 season as the team's only returning starter from the 1986 class. He started all 11 games in the 1990 season and blocked for future first-round NFL draft pick Harvey Williams, earning All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors from the league's coaches and second-team honors from the Associated Press (AP). He graduated from LSU with a bachelor's degree in general studies and ended his college football career having been twice named the Tigers' offensive lineman of the year.

Professional career

Miller was selected in the seventh round (168th overall) of the 1991 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He was re-signed to the team on their practice squad shortly after. He appeared in no games for the team and became a free agent after the season.

Miller was signed by the Detroit Lions in April 1992. Initially a backup, he saw action as a starter following an injury to Kevin Glover. His season ended in mid-December when he was placed on injured reserve as a result of a sprained ankle. He appeared in a total of 14 games, five as a starter, during the 1992 season for the Lions.

Coaching career Miller began coaching after his playing career, assisting at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge and Kilgore High School between 1994 and 1996. He left for the Rice Owls in 2007 and served two seasons as run game coordinator and offensive line coach, helping them win 10 games with a 2008 Texas Bowl win in his second year. Miller became the offensive line coach for the Utah Utes in 2009 and, after two seasons there, left for the same role with the Memphis Tigers in 2011. He was not retained after his first season at Memphis.