Al Miller has given to the sport of wrestling for four decades from leading local youth wrestling clinics to coaching in international junior competitions.
As he retires as teacher and coach at Cleveland High School this month, the sport gives back to him as one more honor - National Assistant Wrestling Coach of the Year - comes his way selected by the National Wrestling Coaches Assoc..
Miller is a member of three sports halls of fame - Tennessee Chapter, National Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Bradley County and Greater Chattanooga Sports Halls of Fame.
While head coach at Cleveland, Miller led the Blue Raiders to three small school state duals (1992-93-94) and two traditional state titles (1980, 1994).
The former Red Bank High School and Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestler has also been selected as the NWCA Assistant Coach of the Year for the state of Tennessee and the Southeast District.
In his final season matside, he helped guide the Blue Raiders to the D-I AAA state duals and state traditional championships in February.
While he soon retires from Cleveland HS, Miller will continue to be active in the sport and serve as the NWCA state of Tennessee director for the 2013-2014 school year.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net