placeholder image

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--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
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.



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

49ers vs. Seahawks: Brock Purdy gears up for familiar foe, acknowledges room for growth

By David Bonilla
Dec 7

Brock Purdy is gearing up to lead his San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks for the second time in three games. This time, the Niners will play host, with Sunday's NFC West clash taking place at Levi's Stadium. Purdy has faced Seattle more than any other opponent in his NFL career, creating a familiarity with the division rival. Despite never losing to the Seahawks, the second-year quarterback emphasizes that he won't take any opponent for granted. "They got good players, some really good dudes that have a lot of experience and stuff, obviously with [LB] Bobby Wagner and then [DB Quandre] Diggs in the secondary, some boys that are playing corner that have got some experience now under their belts," Purdy told reporters after Thursday's


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan provides injury updates on Arik Armstead, Spencer Burford, Elijah Mitchell ahead of 49ers-Seahawks

By David Bonilla
Dec 7

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided injury updates during his weekly interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR, shedding light on the statuses of some ailing players ahead of the team's Week 14 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Arik Armstead has yet to hit the practice field this week as he deals with foot and knee issues. On Wednesday, Shanahan said he would be surprised to see his veteran defensive tackle on the field this weekend. A day later, nothing has changed. "Armstead's still looking like a long shot," Shanahan said on the "Tolbert and Copes" show. "Haven't ruled him out yet, officially, but I'll talk to the doctors. But I


placeholder image

49ers' Christian McCaffrey offers scouting report on younger brother

By David Bonilla
Dec 7

Maybe the San Francisco 49ers will be in the market to draft another wide receiver soon. Suppose the front office seeks the opinion of running back Christian McCaffrey. In that case, he will likely be vocal in his recommendation—a certain Rice wideout named Luke McCaffrey, who happens to be his younger brother. "I would love to play with him one day," the older McCaffrey told reporters in the 49ers' locker room after Thursday's practice. "That would be the coolest thing ever. So I'm excited for him and his journey, and he's only going to get better." Luke, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, recorded 68 receptions for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, averaging 14.2 yards per catch. "Yeah, I've watched every snap of every game," Christian


placeholder image

Brock Purdy, Steve Wilks, Chris Foerster preview 49ers-Seahawks Week 14 matchup

By Site Staff
Dec 7

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, and offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster spoke with reporters after Thursday's practice, as the team prepares for its Week 14 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Here is everything they had to say. Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. QB Brock Purdy Has anything changed since now you're considered an NFL MVP favorite? "Nothing's changed. Yeah, I'm about my process and my week this week against the Seahawks and that's it." How cool does it feel to run off the field in Philly last week, having all those Niner fans there chanting your name? That had to be


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone