Miller joins Genuser’s staff in 2024-25as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator. He brings over 20 years of experience which includes experience from top to bottom of organizations and the coaching ladder, including time as a head coach.
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, and Drake University graduate, Rod began his arena and indoor coaching career in 2000 as a part of the af2 with the Carolina Rhinos in Greenville, South Carolina. He spent three seasons in Carolina and then three more years with the Green Bay Blizzard from 2003-2006 when they were also members of the af2.
He went on to serve as the wide receiver coach at Simpson College (Iowa) in 2006 and then as special team coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League for a season. During his start in coaching, he also spent time with Omaha Beef, Kentucky State University, and Tyler Junior College in Texas.
Miller continued his career in the AFL from 2007 to 2009 as an assistant coach with the Grand Rapid Rampage and defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Gladiators before eventually joining the Trenton Steel of the Southern Indoor Football League in 2011 and then the Loredo Rattlesnakes. From there, he spent time with the AFL’s Philadelphia Soul, the Wichita Force of the Champions Indoor Football League, and Wichita Falls (TX).
From 2019 to 2022, Rod served as the head coach of the IFL’s Bismarck Bucks until the franchise suspended operations. He was also the head coach in the China Arena League with the Qingdao Clippers. In 2023, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Vegas Knight Hawks, who had the number one pass defense and were third-ranked in total offense, before joining the Massachusetts Pirates as head coach and defensive coordinator last year.
