Report: Steve Lutz Hires James Miller of Mississippi State as First Assistant Coach
STILLWATER – It appears new men’s basketball coach Steve Lutz has made the first addition to his coaching staff. According to a report from Trilly Donovan on Twitter, then confirmed by Mississippi State 247Sports reporter Justin Frommer that Lutz has hired James Miller to his staff.
Miller, who was the associate head coach for Mississippi State this past season, has more than 20 years of experience in college basketball and is regarded as a top up-and-coming coach.
This past season was the second season with the Bulldogs for Miller, who followed head coach Chris Jans from New Mexico State. During their first season in Starkville, Miller helped lead the Bulldogs to 21-13 overall record and a berth into the NCAA tournament.
During his four seasons with New Mexico State, the Aggies won three WAC regular season titles, two WAC conference tournament titles and two NCAA tournament berths, which included a 94-26 overall record and 52-11 in WAC play. They also beat No. 5 seed UConn in the 2022 tournament, 70-63.
Prior to his time with New Mexico State, Miller spent one season as an assistant at Omaha under Derrin Hanson in 2015-16, one season at Arkansas State from 2016-17 and one season under current Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland at North Texas in 2017-18.
He spent three years as head coach at New Mexico Junior College before making the jump up to D1. In those three years, the Thunderbirds won 77 games and made three-straight postseason appearances.
Here’s his coaching resume, courtesy of Mississippi State.
2024 • Mississippi State • 1 Season • Associate Head Coach
2023 • Mississippi State • 1 Season • Assistant Coach
2020-21-22 • New Mexico State • 3 Seasons • Associate Head Coach
2019 • New Mexico State • 1 Season • Assistant Coach
2018 • North Texas • 1 Season • Assistant Coach
2017 • Arkansas State • 1 Season • Assistant Coach
2016 • Omaha • 1 Season • Assistant Coach
2013-14-15 • New Mexico Junior College • 3 Seasons • Head Coach
2010-11-12 • New Mexico Junior College • 3 Seasons • Assistant Coach
2006-07-08-09 • Colorado State Pueblo • 4 Seasons • Assistant Coach