Talladega loses a legend
- Updated: September 13, 2018
UPDATED
Chuck Miller Sr. ‘touched many lives’ in a Hall of Fame coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years and three counties
Talladega coach Chuck Miller and his dad Chuck on the occasion of the younger Miller’s 600th career win in the 2013 Talladega County Tournament. On the cover, father and son stand together on the night Chuck Jr. joined his dad in the 700-win club. (Photo courtesy of Trey Miller)
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
TALLADEGA – Hall of Fame basketball coach Chuck Miller, who people said was running the press long before John Wooden perfected it at UCLA, passed away Thursday evening. He was 88.
Miller died at home after a long illness with family at his side. In addition to being inducted into the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, he also is a member of the AHSAA and Jacksonville State sports halls of fame.
“My dad, I believe, touched many lives during his lifetime in all aspects of school, coaching, the people he worked for,” his son and current Talladega basketball coach Chuck Miller said. “For the last couple months at least 10 people a day would ask about him, and it wouldn’t necessarily be when I was in Talladega, Anniston, Alexandria or Oxford. It was all of the state. People remember him and what he meant.”
Miller won 704 games in a coaching career that spanned three counties and two states. He won 16 county championships and made 11 trips to the state tournament. The Talladega High School gym is named in his honor.
He was in the gym in January 2017 when Chuck Jr. joined him in the 700-win club; Chuck surpassed his dad in career victories later in the season. They are believed to be the first father-son high school coaching combo in Alabama with 700 basketball wins each.
“He meant a lot to me, he was my hero,” grandson Trey Miller said. “He gave back to everybody, even when he retired. One of my friends just texted me and said granddaddy’s legacy will always live on in his heart.”
Visitation will be Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the Usery Funeral Home, 516 North Street East, Talladega. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Talladega, 216 North Street East.
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