It's Miller Time - Introductory Press Conference Monday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m.

[luke]

What an impressive speech by Archie . So excited, I can't believe we got my first choice as coach again first with Dan and now with Archie . It was just an awesome introduction and press conference. And I have to say not only was the press conference so impressive , but also the posters on Keaney Blue brought their A Game as well . Cudos to all of you today for some outstanding posts . It makes me proud to be a part of this message board to read so
many wonderful and enthusiastic comments from the most passionate URI fans of all . Thank you all for the outpouring of love and hope for the future
Of URI basketball . It was such a pleasure to read the board today . You all got me even more excited to get ready to watch and enjoy the rebuilding
of this program .

[Jdrums#3]

love this quote! Big games in big arena’s become second nature to the players; nothing takes them by surprise. It becomes a mindset for the players. Confidence. No stage too big. Push them and us coach! Can’t wait!

[Jdrums#3]

I heard URI Has to build a new welcome center after everyone at the press conference ran through the brick wall afterwards.

Except for KMac. He looked pissed.

I never cared to follow KMac. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong in the future. Wake up, KMac!

[PeteRI]

Very impressive - even inspirational. But I still think we should have picked Grasso.

[RF1]

Given what we have all witnessed over the decades in Kingston, the last transformative ten days have been truly amazing and quite literally game changing. Never have I seen URI put together such a first class total team effort operation and make such a full all in commitment to success for its basketball program. It first had to make the difficult and costly decision to make a coaching change which it bravely did immediately after the season ended with no time wasted. A search with an early target was quickly identified and pursued with a full court press team effort led by the focused and determined Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn. Influential URI alums such as former CVS CEO Tom Ryan and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Mike Fascitelli joined in and made direct personal telephone appeals to the prime coaching target. URI basketball boosters came through with financial support to make the buyout possible and provide the necessary enhancements to bring the program closer in line with its top conference peers. The URI president Marc Parlange contributed with making a larger school financial commitment and authorizing and empowering others to make it happen. The entire hiring process was conducted in an extremely professional and expeditious manner. Once the target had accepted and was on board, URI and its corporate sponsor Dunkin Donuts quickly acted to roll out the welcome mat with billboards for the new coach and rev up the Rhody fan nation. The school's athletic dept seized upon the opportunity and took advantage of the hire with promoting new ticket sales. A first class press conference attended by RI Governor Dan McKee, Rhody mascot, cheerleaders, and boosters/university community was then perfectly orchestrated. A new era in URI Rams basketball was on full display.

I keep thinking I have to pinch myself to wake up as I must be dreaming. It happily is however not a dream at all as it is just the new reality of URI hoops. In the words of Celtics basketball great Kevin Garnett, it seems that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE now. Think Big, WE DO!!!

[ATPTourFan]

Very well stated, RF!

Shane set me up with a seat in the corner of the front row so I could easily get in and out with my walker. Garrett and Shane thanked ME for coming out several times, as if I would miss it. The venue was packed with standees wrapped all the way around the room. The cheerleaders barely had anywhere to stand it was so full of people with shared positive energy.

Archie’s remarks had the room enthralled. We all hung on every word. This man has an absolute gift in how he communicates. You can imagine him closing on a big recruit with many of those same themes.

If we are comparing our new coach intro press events, roll the tape from Harrick to #^#}%€£¥€# to Baron, Hurley and Cox. Make no mistake, URI is finally operating at a first class level and executing better than ever.

This hire was a master class by Thorr. Major credit to President Parlange for trusting in his AD and having the courage and vision to bet big on Archie Miller and the men’s basketball program to bring great value back to the University.

The Millers are good people who will enrich and support our local community. His wife, Morgan, was a pleasure to speak with about RI housing, restaurants, the Cooley connection, and BlueMan’s precious 3 month old daughter who attended with her mom.

Having a brief intro with Coach Miller, handshake, and a brief word was icing on the cake.

An outstanding day for everyone in the University and surrounding community.

Welcome to Kingston, Archie!! Let’s go win the damn conference!

[Rhody15]

If Parlange signed off on all of this 7 months into the job and after a terrible season, imagine what he’s going to be willing to do once he sees success?

Money money, more resources, more everything.

[steviep123]

[Blue Man]

The Millers are good people who will enrich and support our local community. His wife, Morgan, was a pleasure to speak with about RI housing, restaurants, the Cooley connection, and BlueMan’s precious 3 month old daughter who attended with her mom.

Always a blast, love that ATP is back hitting the town again.

Would like to point out that BlueMan's daughter's mom is also his wife. She does sometimes allow me to point that out in public despite how this sentence is written.

[steviep123]

Very well stated, RF!

Shane set me up with a seat in the corner of the front row so I could easily get in and out with my walker. Garrett and Shane thanked ME for coming out several times, as if I would miss it. The venue was packed with standees wrapped all the way around the room. The cheerleaders barely had anywhere to stand it was so full of people with shared positive energy.

Archie’s remarks had the room enthralled. We all hung on every word. This man has an absolute gift in how he communicates. You can imagine him closing on a big recruit with many of those same themes.

If we are comparing our new coach intro press events, roll the tape from Harrick to #^#}%€£¥€# to Baron, Hurley and Cox. Make no mistake, URI is finally operating at a first class level and executing better than ever.

This hire was a master class by Thorr. Major credit to President Parlange for trusting in his AD and having the courage and vision to bet big on Archie Miller and the men’s basketball program to bring great value back to the University.

The Millers are good people who will enrich and support our local community. His wife, Morgan, was a pleasure to speak with about RI housing, restaurants, the Cooley connection, and BlueMan’s precious 3 month old daughter who attended with her mom.

Having a brief intro with Coach Miller, handshake, and a brief word was icing on the cake.

An outstanding day for everyone in the University and surrounding community.

Welcome to Kingston, Archie!! Let’s go win the damn conference!

Here here! Thanks for the report ATP!! Glad you were able to make it!

I have to think Rod was watching from up above and had a big "finally" type smile on his face!

[ElmCityRhody]

awesome ATP - thanks for the additional "color"

apologies if i missed it but what exactly is the cooley connection and how was the friendship formed ?

also, great stuff blueman w the 3 month old

we have a 8 month old (& a soon to be 3 year old) so i know what it feels like !

great of all to get there tho and show your support.

100% !

[ramfansince58]

Thanks RF1. I am class of '62 and have never seen this much excitement at Rhody.

Donated to the AD Fund and thanked him for the hire of Archie.

[Blue Man]

awesome ATP - thanks for the additional "color"

apologies if i missed it but what exactly is the cooley connection and how was the friendship formed ?

also, great stuff blueman w the 3 month old

we have a 8 month old (& a soon to be 3 year old) so i know what it feels like !

great of all to get there tho and show your support.

100% !

My two year old son is much more like his dad and likes to run around places, he was watching the presser with his grandma. My daughter is perfect (takes after her mom) and can handle events like that.

Ed and Archie coached together on the USA U-19 world championship team when he was still at Dayton and spent a month together in Greece, along with their families. Then won gold there as well.

They became very close as a result of that. They also coached against each other in Maui (Archie's Hoosiers beat the brakes off of Cooley's Friars ). Ironically Al Durham dropped 19 against PC that day.

Despite what a few less-informed fans on here think, Ed's a great dude and has been very good to URI's last 2 head coaches with support and help throughout recruiting season.

[ATPTourFan]

Great reminder (to all who are able) to give what you can, in monthly or quarterly automatic installments if you like, to the Athletic Director's fund with the link in my and BlueMan's signature.

We are going to need never-before-seen community support to achieve never-before-seen success with Coach Miller.

[giovanni]

awesome ATP - thanks for the additional "color"

apologies if i missed it but what exactly is the cooley connection and how was the friendship formed ?

also, great stuff blueman w the 3 month old

we have a 8 month old (& a soon to be 3 year old) so i know what it feels like !

great of all to get there tho and show your support.

100% !

My two year old son is much more like his dad and likes to run around places, he was watching the presser with his grandma. My daughter is perfect (takes after her mom) and can handle events like that.

Ed and Archie coached together on the USA U-19 world championship team when he was still at Dayton and spent a month together in Greece, along with their families. Then won gold there as well.

They became very close as a result of that. They also coached against each other in Maui (Archie's Hoosiers beat the brakes off of Cooley's Friars ). Ironically Al Durham dropped 19 against PC that day.

Despite what a few less-informed fans on here think, Ed's a great dude and has been very good to URI's last 2 head coaches with support and help throughout recruiting season.

I agree totally with this. Growing up close to Providence and not much older than Ed, I've had many interactions with him over the years. Regardless of how much some here may despise PC, he is a great guy, you can't be around him and not like him. I realize I will be under attack by a few for agreeing with you

[Billyboy78]

LOL, which one of you guys started this twitter account?

[Billyboy78]

[ATPTourFan]

[Obadiah]

I just finished a conversation with my cousin who attended the event with his wife and he said many of the things expressed here so I won't repeat those but focus on his other feelings. He feel the Welcome Center venue was a home run because the crowded conditions made people talk excitedly to complete strangers and gave the scene a palpable buzz well before the presser started. While there were old-time boosters there, like Kousa and Terino, he was struck by the number of young people (not students) present which bodes well for the future of fan base. His wife did talk to Tammi Reiss and found her a bundle of energy and very much a positive thinker. Also met Archie's wife, Morgan, who is very attractive and appeared so happy to be here. In fact, for all to see she had painted her toenails Rhody blue in honor of joining the URI family. It was joyous and classy affair. I'm looking forward to watching the stream later tonight.

[RF1]

Archie brought along a Keaney Blue towel from home as well. It was predicting a lot of future scoring in Kingston with big highs ahead.

Towelie.png (206.46 KiB) Viewed 3418 times

[Billyboy78]

When Archie was at Dayton, his wife wore a t-shirt saying 'Dayton High Life'. We need one that says either 'Kingston High Life' or 'Rhody High Life'. Here's a pic.
https://www.thesportsbank.net/wp-conten ... miller.jpg

[PeteRI]

Here's a video of the whole shebang:

https://turnto10.com/news/local/archie- ... wsource=cl

[Shinze88]

Great reminder (to all who are able) to give what you can, in monthly or quarterly automatic installments if you like, to the Athletic Director's fund with the link in my and BlueMan's signature.

We are going to need never-before-seen community support to achieve never-before-seen success with Coach Miller.

Donation made, looking forward to going back to the Ryan Center next year!!

[bwerner10]

I was at the event today; Miller was very authentic. The President of the school deserves credit for finally getting Thor the funds. Miller was very measured about success and timing. It also seems IU took some of them to heal. This is a strong marriage. The school did a good job marketing everything. I wish a few more players attended, not ideal.

[reef]

awesome ATP - thanks for the additional "color"

apologies if i missed it but what exactly is the cooley connection and how was the friendship formed ?

also, great stuff blueman w the 3 month old

we have a 8 month old (& a soon to be 3 year old) so i know what it feels like !

great of all to get there tho and show your support.

100% !

My two year old son is much more like his dad and likes to run around places, he was watching the presser with his grandma. My daughter is perfect (takes after her mom) and can handle events like that.

Ed and Archie coached together on the USA U-19 world championship team when he was still at Dayton and spent a month together in Greece, along with their families. Then won gold there as well.

They became very close as a result of that. They also coached against each other in Maui (Archie's Hoosiers beat the brakes off of Cooley's Friars ). Ironically Al Durham dropped 19 against PC that day.

Despite what a few less-informed fans on here think, Ed's a great dude and has been very good to URI's last 2 head coaches with support and help throughout recruiting season.

Arch and Ed also squared off in the NCAAT round of 64 in 2015 Dayton won

[Billyboy78]

I was at the event today; Miller was very authentic. The President of the school deserves credit for finally getting Thor the funds. Miller was very measured about success and timing. It also seems IU took some of them to heal. This is a strong marriage. The school did a good job marketing everything. I wish a few more players attended, not ideal.

I assume he told the players who had a 10 o'clock class to attend the class.

[RoadyJay]

When Archie was at Dayton, his wife wore a t-shirt saying 'Dayton High Life'. We need one that says either 'Kingston High Life' or 'Rhody High Life'. Here's a pic.
https://www.thesportsbank.net/wp-conten ... miller.jpg

[Blue Man]

awesome ATP - thanks for the additional "color"

apologies if i missed it but what exactly is the cooley connection and how was the friendship formed ?

also, great stuff blueman w the 3 month old

we have a 8 month old (& a soon to be 3 year old) so i know what it feels like !

great of all to get there tho and show your support.

100% !

My two year old son is much more like his dad and likes to run around places, he was watching the presser with his grandma. My daughter is perfect (takes after her mom) and can handle events like that.

Ed and Archie coached together on the USA U-19 world championship team when he was still at Dayton and spent a month together in Greece, along with their families. Then won gold there as well.

They became very close as a result of that. They also coached against each other in Maui (Archie's Hoosiers beat the brakes off of Cooley's Friars ). Ironically Al Durham dropped 19 against PC that day.

Despite what a few less-informed fans on here think, Ed's a great dude and has been very good to URI's last 2 head coaches with support and help throughout recruiting season.

Arch and Ed also squared off in the NCAAT round of 64 in 2015 Dayton won

Probably Archie’s best coaching job. Maybe Cooley’s worst.

6 Dayton players had schollys that game. They won 4 straight in the A10 and had to play again on Tuesday. No player taller than Kendall Pollard at 6’6.

My main point was that since they became friends after the USA coaching stint, Archie never lost his edge competing against him

[RhowdyRam02]

Originally I was disappointed about not being able to attend but after really being able to listen to what he said it was probably better for everyone involved. I would have either made the whole thing take three times longer because I would have given him more ovations than you see in a state of the union, I would have been removed from the premise for constantly interrupting, or both. It feels so good to be excited about the program again and it feels so good to be a season ticket holder again

[Billyboy78]

When Archie was at Dayton, his wife wore a t-shirt saying 'Dayton High Life'. We need one that says either 'Kingston High Life' or 'Rhody High Life'. Here's a pic.
https://www.thesportsbank.net/wp-conten ... miller.jpg

RhodyHighLife.png

Love it!

[section(105)]

When Archie was at Dayton, his wife wore a t-shirt saying 'Dayton High Life'. We need one that says either 'Kingston High Life' or 'Rhody High Life'. Here's a pic.
https://www.thesportsbank.net/wp-conten ... miller.jpg

RhodyHighLife.png

…….Apply for license rights, or what ever the hell is needed. Maybe Athletics would give these away(along with a LO beach towel……yes, I said Give them away……go Rhody(Roady).

[NYGFan_Section208]

Archie brought along a Keaney Blue towel from home as well. It was predicting a lot of future scoring in Kingston with big highs ahead.

Towelie.png

Towelie!

[PeterRamTime]

When Archie was at Dayton, his wife wore a t-shirt saying 'Dayton High Life'. We need one that says either 'Kingston High Life' or 'Rhody High Life'. Here's a pic.
https://www.thesportsbank.net/wp-conten ... miller.jpg

RhodyHighLife.png

Neeeeed that sticker

[Billyboy78]

When Archie was at Dayton, his wife wore a t-shirt saying 'Dayton High Life'. We need one that says either 'Kingston High Life' or 'Rhody High Life'. Here's a pic.
https://www.thesportsbank.net/wp-conten ... miller.jpg

RhodyHighLife.png

Neeeeed that sticker

No, we need t-shirts and sweatshirts.

[KingstonLane]

Finally had a chance to watch the full press conference.

Is it November yet? Beyond excited for the future of the program

[Rhody15]

A Keaney Blue Miller Lite tall boy with Archie’s face on it.

Need it.

[section(105)]

…….radio coach’s show coming…….out in town somewhere……..?

[TruePoint]

Other than a couple of short clips posted on Twitter, I haven’t been able to find any of what I assume is a decent amount of Archie content that he must have done with the local media after the presser. Anyone have any links?

[NHRamFan]

Thanks RF1. I am class of '62 and have never seen this much excitement at Rhody.

Donated to the AD Fund and thanked him for the hire of Archie.

This is something we all need to do. No amount goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

[steviep123]

LOL, which one of you guys started this twitter account?

This is brilliant! Instant respect to whoever this is.

[SmartyBarrett]

Other than a couple of short clips posted on Twitter, I haven’t been able to find any of what I assume is a decent amount of Archie content that he must have done with the local media after the presser. Anyone have any links?

I saw Channels 10 and 12 are holding their stuff back until the news tonight. And Stone Freeman's YurView piece will be out "later this week". Not sure about anything else. I'm sure stuff from Koch and others will hit tomorrow.

[ElmCityRhody]

Thanks reef for the info on Archie/Cooley

[Sweep The Leg]

Archie killed it today. Wore the right thing, said the right things, perfect first impression.

I loved the boots on the ground attitude about getting buzz around the team and students to games.

Maybe they'll be a change in seating for the students behind the bench again. College basketball should be a student experience. The more they're engaged, the better our home court advantage.

We now have the 2 best basketball coaches in the A-10.

[NJRhodyFan]

Finally had a chance to watch the full press conference.

Is it November yet? Beyond excited for the future of the program

I didn't get to see the entire video until later this afternoon, but my gosh...Miller absolutely nailed that press conference! This man gets it. From what attracted him to the job at URI, to the style of play he wants to employ, to the importance of fan support in helping bring this program back to the level we all want and expect to see...everything he said was music to my ears. This was a home run hire by Thorr, and he deserves all the credit in the world for targeting the right man for this job and sealing the deal. Well done sir.

These last two years really made me lose interest in the program that I know and love, but I'm back baby! And I'm ready to support this team in any way that I can. If you listened to what Miller had to say in that press conference and didn't get fired up? Then I can't help you. This is as excited as I've ever been as a Rhody fan, and I can't wait to see the caliber of players and coaches that he brings in, and the culture that he establishes. Let's get this train rolling.

GO RHODY!!!

[SmartyBarrett]

[SmartyBarrett]

[Da_Process_Survivor]

Archie killed it today. Wore the right thing, said the right things, perfect first impression.

I loved the boots on the ground attitude about getting buzz around the team and students to games.

Maybe they'll be a change in seating for the students behind the bench again. College basketball should be a student experience. The more they're engaged, the better our home court advantage.

We now have the 2 best basketball coaches in the A-10.

Maybe they'll finally uphold their end of the bargain they told us students back when they started charging each student the Ryan Center fee in their tuition and make the 100 bowl all students...

I know, not holding my breath

[RamStock]

Originally I was disappointed about not being able to attend but after really being able to listen to what he said it was probably better for everyone involved. I would have either made the whole thing take three times longer because I would have given him more ovations than you see in a state of the union, I would have been removed from the premise for constantly interrupting, or both. It feels so good to be excited about the program again and it feels so good to be a season ticket holder again

I feel the same way and also am another person that will be getting their season tickets back. I haven’t been to a men’s game at the Ryan Center since Toppin and Dayton came right before CoVID.

[LIRAM]

Great Day to be a Ram! Blown away reading and watching all the great stuff posted and shared today. We have a President behind Athletics! We have a incredible Athletic Director in Thor! We now have a Coach who gives us true hope and direction. Beyond thrilled. Proud of our University!

Just made a donation to the Men's and Ladies programs just to show my gratitude! What a day!!!!!

[NYGFan_Section208]

Originally I was disappointed about not being able to attend but after really being able to listen to what he said it was probably better for everyone involved. I would have either made the whole thing take three times longer because I would have given him more ovations than you see in a state of the union, I would have been removed from the premise for constantly interrupting, or both. It feels so good to be excited about the program again and it feels so good to be a season ticket holder again

I feel the same way and also am another person that will be getting their season tickets back. I haven’t been to a men’s game at the Ryan Center since Toppin and Dayton came right before CoVID.

Same, only after year one of paying and not going, we doubled our allotment (because we were having such a great time?).
The awesome thing is, we paid for them so long ago, they'll seem like free now.