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Rest in Peace: Sun Devil Athletics remembers the positive impact of Steven Miller

Miller was a standout offensive lineman at Arizona State from 2016-19 and served as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the past three seasons.

Rest in Peace: Sun Devil Athletics remembers the positive impact of Steven MillerRest in Peace: Sun Devil Athletics remembers the positive impact of Steven Miller
Pete Vander Stoep

Steve Miller touches the Pat Tillman Statue while walking out prior to a game against Sacramento State in 2019.

by Connor Smith

Sun Devil Athletics mourns the loss of Steven Miller. Miller was a valued member of the Sun Devil Football program as both a player and coach for nearly a decade. He will be deeply missed.

Everything Steve Miller did in his life, he did it big, and he did it with others in mind. The physically imposing offensive lineman starred on and off the field while a member of the Sun Devil Football program as a player and later as a coach. Not only was Miller widely regarded as a dominant force in the trenches, but he was also recognized as an amazing teammate who developed strong bonds and relationships with his fellow Sun Devils. These characteristics are what made a transition to the coaching profession so natural and seamless.

Miller had an impact on everyone who was lucky enough to spend time with him. His legacy of always putting others first and being there for his brothers will live on within the program and throughout the Sun Devil Football facility.

The Gilbert native and Gilbert High School product played for Arizona State from 2016-19, putting together one of the most decorated careers of a Sun Devil offensive lineman.

Over the span of four seasons, Miller started 35 games, including all 13 of the 2017 and 2019 seasons. During his career, Miller saw action in a total of 49 games, including some of Arizona State’s greatest wins in program history. Miller went 3-1 in Territorial Cup matchups while in Tempe, including the historic 2018 comeback victory in Tucson.

He was also a part of the 2017 team that took down No. 5 Washington, spoiling the Huskies' chance at a College Football Playoff berth. In 2018, the Sun Devils took down Top-20 teams in Michigan State and Utah, thanks in large part to Miller and the physicality of the offensive line unit. Miller was on the offensive line in Arizona State's 68-55 win over Texas Tech in 2016, a game in which running back Kalen Ballage set the NCAA record by scoring eight total touchdowns.

He capped his career in style, helping ASU win the final three games of the 2019 season. That included an upset victory over No. 6 Oregon, a win over Arizona in the Territorial Cup, and earning the program's first bowl game trophy since 2014 by defeating Florida State at the Sun Bowl.

Miller helped pave the way for some of the program's greatest individual statistical seasons. In 2018, running back Eno Benjamin broke the school's single-season record for rushing yards, finishing with 1,642 yards on the ground. The record was previously set by Woody Green back in 1972.

Miller played in all 13 games on the offensive line unit that was responsible for blocking for Benjamin, who became the first Sun Devil to lead the Pac-12 Conference in rushing. Benjamin broke the ASU single-game rushing record with 312 yards and 3 touchdowns vs. Oregon State on Sept. 29, 2018. Miller helped Benjamin garner AP Third Team All-American and First Team Pac-12 All-Conference honors.

Miller also blocked for standout running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage, who formed one of the nation's best backfield tandems in the nation. During their two seasons running behind Miller (2016-17), they combined for 2,825 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns.

Quarterbacks Manny Wilkins and Jayden Daniels thrived with Miller providing critical protection. Wilkins and Daniels each enjoyed campaigns with 2,500+ passing yards and 500+ rushing yards. The pass blocking from Miller and the offensive line unit allowed both N'Keal Harry and Brandon Aiyuk to flourish in the system. Both wide receivers ended up becoming first-round picks in the NFL Draft, thanks in part to the time and opportunities provided by Miller’s pass protection.

Following a successful collegiate career, Miller immediately went into coaching. He completed stints at both the University of Florida and Louisiana (Lafayette) before returning to Tempe as a graduate assistant in 2023. He worked closely with Sun Devil Offensive Line Coach Saga Tuitele for the 2023 season, playing a role in developing Leif Fautanu, Ben Coleman, Max Iheanachor, Kyle Scott and several other impact players. Miller would go on to earn a spot with the Strength and Conditioning staff, where he had been serving as an assistant for the past three seasons. Miller's work under Joe Connolly proved to be integral as the roster showed improvements in the weight room, a big key to the success of the 2024 season.

Miller was a Strength and Conditioning Assistant Coach for the 2024 Big 12 Champion Sun Devil Football team. Miller's physicality and toughness was manifested in the team, as they displayed the same characteristics on their run to the program's first outright conference title since 1996.

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_PV24218Steve Miller sets up in a stance prior to a snap in the win over Arizona in 2019.
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"There's No Place Like Home" - Steve Miller Grateful to Return To Tempe As Offensive Assistant

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Miller caught up with Sports360AZ upon his return to Arizona State back in 2024.