'Inside this room is where it happens'

SANDPOINT — Be it as a teacher, coach, city council member, mayor or parent, Ray Miller wore many hats during a busy and distinguished career.

He taught government and economics for 30 years at Sandpoint High School, while coaching wrestling, football and track, ultimately earning a spot in the Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame for his exploits.

He also spent decades on the Sandpoint City Council, before running the city as mayor from 2002-08, cutting his teeth in the very political realm he taught his students about.

So what has the Sandpoint resident been doing to enjoy his well-deserved retirement lately?

Mostly, he shows up at SHS around 9:30 a.m. each morning and leaves around 6 p.m., helping any and all athletes who want to get faster and stronger. It’s a schedule he’s well acquainted with, a pattern he knows well.

“Kind of like what I used to do,” says Miller, who is currently the Bulldogs’ quarterback coach and a fixture in the SHS weight room. “I spent 30 years helping build these programs, I want to see them be the best. It’s a real kick. I enjoy being around the young guys.”

This spring, Miller worked with a large segment of the track team using the FAST program, and the results were evident in the best season in years. Sandpoint head football coach and track assistant Satini Puailoa believes Miller’s work with nearly the entire track team made a big difference, and next year he believes it will be even better.

Miller puts athletes, wearing a harness to keep them upright, through a series of treadmill exercises designed to build better balance, increase lateral agility and increase speed. One of the workouts involves jumping on a moving treadmill and running 18 miles per hour for 18 seconds, essentially training the body to run faster and faster.

“He’s in there 40 hours a week, volunteering his time,” says Puailoa. “He won’t accept any money, and works with anybody 9-to-5 about every day.”

Miller is the quarterback coach and signals in plays during the football season, and he says Puailoa’s return to the sideline spurred him to get back into the game.

One of Miller’s fondest memories at Sandpoint came during the 1997 football season, when the team staged a second half comeback to beat Eagle 24-20 and win the school’s lone football state championship.

“At halftime, it looked like we were sunk,” recalls Miller, before the team rallied for two fourth quarter touchdowns. “We came back and overcame adversity and pulled it out. I’d love to experience that again.”

Bulldog senior wide receiver Chase Rodriguez has worked with Miller for the past two years and the two have formed a close bond that extends beyond the field.

“He’s so nice, and has always been one of my favorite coaches,” says Rodriguez, who credits Miller with helping him become a stronger athlete. “I’ll call him up out of the blue and he’ll come in (weight room). He’s there when I need him.”

Seeing the track team win both the boys and girls Regional titles this year was rewarding for Miller, and he’s hoping for improved results come fall when footballs fill the air.

In the meantime, he’ll continue to show up at the SHS weight room and help any and all who want it.

“Inside this room is where it happens,” he says, noting he still gets a thrill out of coaching. “Seeing the level of improvement and when the light goes on and somebody gets it. Winning is big too.”