GHS taps North Forsyth's Miller as new football coach

GAINESVILLE - If you can't beat them, have them join you.

That's the philosophy Gainesville High took Wednesday when it announced that North Forsyth coach Bruce Miller will be the school's new head football coach.

Miller, 49, takes over for Steve Wilson who stepped down last month to accept the defensive coordinator's job at Furman University. He becomes the third coach at Gainesville in the last four years.

Miller, who led North Forsyth to the Region 7-AAA championship and a Final Four appearance in the Class AAA playoffs, last season, said he wasn't looking for a change. The Raiders lost to eventual state champion LaGrange in the semifinals.

"I really wasn't looking to make a move but this place has a lot of tradition and it was an opportunity I felt I couldn't turn down," Miller said. "I'm looking forward to continuing the tradition here."

Miller led the Raiders to wins over Gainesville the last two seasons and four of his five years at North Forsyth.

"Despite the success we had, I always felt there was tremendous talent here. Gainesville was always one of the toughest games of the year," he said.

And Miller expects the Red Elephants to continue the success they have had the last two years.

"Steve (Wilson) did a great job here and has brought Gainesville back to where it should be. My job will be to improve on that. I think I can," he said.

Gainesville advanced to the playoffs each of the last two years but has not won a playoff game since the early 1990s.

Gainesville Athletic Director Wayne Vickery said they were lucky to land an experienced coach.

"We think Bruce can continue the progress the program has shown the last couple of years. And quite frankley, I don't think he'll be satisfied unless he can get back to the playoffs," Vickery said.

Miller began his coaching career as an assistant at Brookwood High from 1981-87. He then was the head coach at Cass High in Cartersville from 1988-96 before moving to North Forsyth in 1997.

He was 36-21 at North Forsyth with two straight playoff appearances.