Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports


Bruce Miller: “Jim Harbaugh is my favorite coach that I’ve ever had”

Jun 29, 2016 at 8:50 AM--


San Francisco 49ers TE/FB Bruce Miller wrote a post for Chat Sports on Tuesday that covered a number of interesting topics including his experience at the combine, being drafted by the 49ers, switching positions, and more.

While sharing his experiences within the league, Miller discussed the 2011 lockout as the NFL and NFL Players Association butted heads on a new collective bargaining agreement. During that time, then-quarterback Alex Smith led the charge and held his own unsanctioned practices, dubbed "Camp Alex," with teammates because players were not allowed to interact with their teams. In fact, Smith wasn't even part of a team, as he was unsigned, but new head coach Jim Harbaugh had let him know that he wanted him to return to the 49ers.

"Alex called me a week after the draft. He was holding his own private workouts for the team  –  7x7 drills, weight lifting, conditioning – totally off the radar. So that was when I made my first trip out to San Jose, California," says Miller. "Alex had snuck out a copy of the playbook. I'm not sure how he got his hands on it. Maybe the security was more lax since Jim Harbaugh was brand new as head coach. Together, we all tried to learn the offense. And I tried to learn the position of fullback for the first time."

Of course, before anyone imagines Smith hanging from Harbaugh's office à la Mission Impossible in an effort to acquire a playbook, remember that the lockout was very briefly lifted by Judge Susan Nelson in April of 2011 and players had even briefer limited access to team facilities during that time.

Harbaugh, the first-year 49ers head coach in 2011, would turn out to be Miller's favorite coach. "Jim Harbaugh is my favorite coach that I've ever had, and I thrived under his leadership," says Miller. "He was an outstanding teacher with an unrivaled knowledge of the game. He brought energy that most coaches just don't have, and really knew how to get the most out of his players."

As far as Harbaugh's intensity for the game, it was apparently just as strong away from the football field as it was on the sidelines. "Coach Harbaugh lives and breathes football. He loved football so much that he simply couldn't contain himself or hold it in," says Miller. "In meetings and at practice, he was exactly the way he appeared on the sidelines as games  –  full of emotion and intensity. He set the tone for the entire team, and the expectation that every player would be equally as focused."

Of course, there are some similarities between the three coaches Miller has had during his time in the NFL, which include Harbaugh, his successor Jim Tomsula, and current head coach Chip Kelly. "All three of the coaches I've had here all stressed that we should treat rookies as family," says Miller. "Coach Harbaugh hammered into our minds that order to be a successful team, every player has to perform at their absolute best. There was no rookie hazing and no one ever worried about coming to work because they might be harassed or abused."

At the time, veterans on the team also played their part in making rookies feel welcome. That's something that continues today according to the 49ers' current rookie class. "We were successful as a unit precisely because the veterans took us under their wings," says Miller. "They showed us how to be professionals in every facet of the job. That's exactly how I treat rookies now, because their support and guidance was the backbone of my success."

You can read Miller's entire post at Chat Sports.com.



LISTEN

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



Arik Armstead: 49ers can repeat as NFC West champs; Trey Lance has a bright future

By David Bonilla
May 25

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead joined NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Thursday to discuss the state of the team at the start of organized team activities (OTAs). Armstead is part of a defensive line that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and added former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. The question that had to be asked: Does San Francisco own the best defensive line in football? "Well, on paper, I guess you could say that, but 'on paper' doesn't win any game," Armstead responded. "But we're excited about getting together and starting that journey of



49ers insider offers analysis from glimpse of Trey Lance and Sam Darnold

By David Bonilla
May 25

It's premature to draw conclusions about a quarterback based on practices in May. That is especially true when you do so based on one practice. The San Francisco 49ers started organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and all eyes were on Trey Lance and Sam Darnold. The two players are battling for that QB2 job behind last season's rookie sensation, Brock Purdy. One could even start Week 1 if Purdy is not healthy enough to do so himself. Lance is coming off a season-ending ankle injury but looks completely healthy now. Darnold is trying to turn his career around after never living up to his high draft status. Matt Barrows of The Athletic was on hand for Tuesday's practice, the only one open to reporters so far, and one that Barrows describes as a



Ex-49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo underwent foot surgery in March

By David Bonilla
May 25

One of the biggest criticisms about Jimmy Garoppolo has been his availability. The quarterback wins football games but has been available for an entire season just once in his career—in 2019. Garoppolo's latest injury occurred on December 4 while with the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran left a regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins with a foot injury. It was later revealed that he suffered a broken foot and would miss significant time. However, it wasn't believed to require surgery. That led to the emergence of Brock Purdy, the seventh-round draft pick that took the NFL by storm. He led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before suffering an injury himself. Garoppolo remained on the 49ers' 53-man roster through all that. The 49ers



Is 49ers QB Trey Lance getting better? And is it because of his new teacher? One expert shares his thoughts

By Marc Adams
May 25

Sometimes who is teaching is as important as what is being taught Earlier this week, when the San Francisco 49ers opened up an OTAs session to the media, most of the eyes, in person and online, were on third-year quarterback Trey Lance's new delivery. Lance, of course, had been working with QB guru, Jeff Christensen, and thanks to some leaked footage of Lance throwing with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, along with a very well-timed piece by Matt Barrows in The Athletic, there was plenty of


Featured

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone