Order For Underdogs Only on Amazon
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail

  • Home
  • Photos
  • Scholarship
  • Video
  • The Author
  • Blog

Archive for category: Blog

Tustin Tiller Football Banquet

January 16, 2012
January 16, 2012
Tyler Siudzinski and DeSean Anderson celebrate at the banquet

Tyler Siudzinski and DeSean Anderson celebrate at the banquet

Staying true to his team philosophy that “ten men block so one can run,” the only awards given to Tustin Tiller Football players at the Tustin High School Football Banquet centered around athletes with exemplary grade point averages and awards from The Empire League, All-County Teams, and All-CIF. That’s right, Coach Miller does not bestow an MVP award or “The Most Improved,” or any individual accolades. Tiller football is a team effort, and he’s serious about that. Read more →

0 Comments/
Array Likes
/0 Tweets/in Blog

Off To See The Wizard

January 9, 2012
January 9, 2012
Writing at the Airstream

Writing at the Airstream

Coach Miller called on January 4 with a response anticipated since December 26 when I plopped a major portion of the book in front of him for a fact check of the man’s entire life as interpreted by me. And you think the guy standing on the other side of Tustin’s 6’5” 300+ pound center, David Maka, fights nerves. Mine woke me up at 1:30 a.m. nearly every morning those nine days when I wondered how that “read” was going. I actually feared ambivalence more than hatred. “Love it, hate it” … both are better than “Meh.” Read more →

0 Comments/
Array Likes
/0 Tweets/in Blog

Someone Needs To Write A Book About You

October 4, 2011
October 4, 2011

Best selling children’s author, Sheri Fink asked me a couple of questions about For Underdogs Only:

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM FOR YOUR BOOK?

While teaching at Tustin High School in Tustin, California I heard rumors about how many ways head football Coach Myron Miller helped kids.  Stories floated around about how he gave money, time, and words of wisdom to his players.  People talked about the NFL players that he coached through Tustin High School and how they still visited him.  All of them:  Sam Baker, Beau Bell, Chris Chester, DeShaun Foster, Matt McCoy and Frostee Rucker.  And he is known throughout the county for getting kids Division 1 scholarships.

Then I met the man.  After spending time with Coach Miller in the cafeteria I learned about his childhood and how similar it is to that of the kids he coaches.  He talked about how much he valued the courage of his relatives who fled genocide in Poland; and he told me their stories.   From them Miller learned how to survive.  He learned how to stand up to bullies, and how to work hard to achieve goals.  He learned to never quit.  Miller transferred his street smarts to the football field where he could inspire his players to work hard in order to earn college scholarships.

I valued this man’s story because he selflessly changed the lives of kids and because he used empathy to gain their respect.  Miller experienced a childhood that labeled him as an at-risk kid.  His players respect that.  After hearing Miller relay his quintessential American story I said to him, “Someone needs to write a book about you.”  That was the first spark, the very first hint of an idea that I would tell his story.

WHAT GENRE DOES YOUR BOOK FALL UNDER?

Narrative Non-fiction.

WHICH ACTORS WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO PLAY YOUR CHARACTERS IN A MOVIE RENDITION?

Robert DeNiro would play Coach Miller perfectly.  As a young man I see James Franco as Miller.  The other characters would take some research to make the perfect match.

WHEN WILL THE BOOK BE AVAILABLE?

April 2013

 

0 Comments/
Array Likes
/0 Tweets/in Blog
Page 6 of 6«‹456

Player Quotes

I remember that this is where it all started.  When you’re here—when you’re the kid—you don’t see the effect of Miller, but later, that’s when you see it.  Once you start applying life lessons that he’s taught you, then you realize this guy is very effective.  Coach Miller was a focal point in my career.
DeShaun Foster, Running Back
Tustin High School
UCLA
Carolina Panthers
San Francisco 49ers
I know what works for me and I like Miller’s training. There’s something special about his weight room and his attitude, and when he’s around watching I lift harder. By myself I’m driving, but when he’s there I want to impress him.
Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle
Tustin High School
University of Southern California
Atlanta Falcons
I took Coach Miller to meet Harbaugh when I was at the Ravens. I introduced him as my high school coach and Harbaugh asked him, ‘What’s your secret?’ and Miller said, ‘Hard work.’ We were a family, which is the other reason I think why guys buy in to the approach. We cared for each other.
Chris Chester, Offensive Guard
Tustin High School
University of Oklahoma
Washington Redskins
It’s really fun to think how much Coach Miller means to me and how much work he put into all of us. Coach Miller—he might have four kids—but he really doesn’t because he has all of us. He has put hands on all of our lives for a lifetime. He touched our lives in such a way that half of us wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for him. Whether it’s monetary or spiritual, he’s always there with advice. He’s a grand wizard.
Beau Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Cleveland Browns
BC Lions
Coach Miller is not only a great football coach, he’s a great man, a great teacher, a great father, a great husband, a great role model, and an overall great person.
Zack Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada Las Vegas
The world needs more guys like Myron teaching them to put their heads down and grind it out by working hard. Without that I don’t think I’d have the work ethic, stamina, or persistence to be able to provide for my family.
Frank Frappier
Tustin High School

KEEP IN TOUCH

LATEST BLOG POSTS

  • Three Hundred Sixty-Five Days of Christmas
  • China’s First Ever University Football Program Part II
  • China’s First Ever University Football Program Part I
  • Miami Upsets No. 12 Florida
  • Mountain High

Player Quotes

I remember that this is where it all started.  When you’re here—when you’re the kid—you don’t see the effect of Miller, but later, that’s when you see it.  Once you start applying life lessons that he’s taught you, then you realize this guy is very effective.  Coach Miller was a focal point in my career.
DeShaun Foster, Running Back
Tustin High School
UCLA
Carolina Panthers
San Francisco 49ers
I know what works for me and I like Miller’s training. There’s something special about his weight room and his attitude, and when he’s around watching I lift harder. By myself I’m driving, but when he’s there I want to impress him.
Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle
Tustin High School
University of Southern California
Atlanta Falcons
I took Coach Miller to meet Harbaugh when I was at the Ravens. I introduced him as my high school coach and Harbaugh asked him, ‘What’s your secret?’ and Miller said, ‘Hard work.’ We were a family, which is the other reason I think why guys buy in to the approach. We cared for each other.
Chris Chester, Offensive Guard
Tustin High School
University of Oklahoma
Washington Redskins
It’s really fun to think how much Coach Miller means to me and how much work he put into all of us. Coach Miller—he might have four kids—but he really doesn’t because he has all of us. He has put hands on all of our lives for a lifetime. He touched our lives in such a way that half of us wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for him. Whether it’s monetary or spiritual, he’s always there with advice. He’s a grand wizard.
Beau Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Cleveland Browns
BC Lions
Coach Miller is not only a great football coach, he’s a great man, a great teacher, a great father, a great husband, a great role model, and an overall great person.
Zack Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada Las Vegas
The world needs more guys like Myron teaching them to put their heads down and grind it out by working hard. Without that I don’t think I’d have the work ethic, stamina, or persistence to be able to provide for my family.
Frank Frappier
Tustin High School
© Copyright - For Underdogs Only - Website by Taylor Digital