Fort Collins – The previous time Tim Miles visited Fort Collins, he left with a loss, but more important, he left a lasting impression on Colorado State athletic director Paul Kowalczyk.
“I liked the way his team competed. I liked his mannerisms on the sideline,” the AD said of the December game.
The former North Dakota State coach returned Thursday to sign a five-year deal, estimated at $400,000 a year, with a mandate from CSU president Larry Penley that “we expect him to win. We expect him to win not only our conference, we expect him in March to be at the (NCAA) Tournament, where we’re not today.”
A 40-year-old South Dakota native, Miles said his goal in two years is a Colorado State-North Dakota State pairing in the NCAA Tournament and, “We’re going to be the No. 5 seed.”
The coach met for 45 minutes with his new team, and the players came out smiling.
“I’m very excited. He’s got a lot of energy,” 7-foot center Stuart Creason said.
The biggest question hanging over the program is the future of 7-0 forward Jason Smith. He said he still has to talk to a number of people before he decides whether he will attend the NBA predraft camp. Smith could go in without an agent, withdraw his name from the draft and return for his final year.
“I want to keep my options open,” Smith said. “The new coach is a good guy. I like a lot of things he said.”
Miles said keeping Smith is a priority.
“I’m meeting with Jason (today),” Miles said. “I’m confident he’s going to make a good decision. Jason has to do what he feels strongly about. … I’d love to keep that kid. We have to if we can.”
But he added: “Our program doesn’t end, or begin, with any one particular player.”
After a 10-day stealth search that focused on Miles from the start, Kowalczyk said, “The names don’t matter to me” in response to comparisons with New Mexico’s hiring of Iowa’s Steve Alford.
“I’m not interested in winning the press conference. I’m interested in building a program that is going to be successful long-term,” he said.
Speaking of the program he left behind at Southern Illinois, which lost Thursday night to Kansas in the Sweet 16, Kowalczyk said: “I want to establish the same type of program level of expectation here. This is a guy that can do it, because he’s done it before.”
There were no NCAA opportunities for North Dakota State, three years into the transition from Division II to Division I, but he compiled a 99-71 record at the school in six seasons and took Southwest Minnesota State to the 2001 Division II Elite Eight.
Miles displayed the gamut of emotions, from choking up about his final meeting Wednesday night with his Bison players to a quick wit to win over the audience filled with department staffers and boosters.
“I want people in the stands yelling at the refs, not the coaches,” Miles said.
Miles listed CSU weaknesses as too many turnovers and poor field-goal percentage defense, and promised an emphasis on tough man-to-man defense.
“We want to pass the ball to each other, not the dude in the other-colored jersey,” Miles said.
North Dakota State athletic director Gene Taylor said Thursday that Kowalczyk initially contacted him last week about possible football scheduling (no dates were set).
Taylor said Miles had a $125,000 package at North Dakota State.
“I think his personality and coaching abilities are outstanding,” Taylor said. “Week in, week out, it’s a higher level of basketball (in the MWC), but he can make the adjustment. He’s been successful at every level he’s been at.”
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
Tim Miles unveiled
Age: 40
Family: Wife Kari, and two children: a daughter, 6, and a son, 2.
Personal: Born in Doland, S.D. … Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary (N.D.) and a master’s degree from Northern State (S.D.).
Coaching highlights: Finalist for the Hugh Durham Mid-Major Coach of the Year award in 2005-06. … In six seasons at North Dakota State, led the Bison to a 99-71 record and two North Central Conference semifinal appearances. … In 2000-01, led Southwest Minnesota State to a 28-7 record and a berth in the Division II Elite Eight.
Miles’ head coaching record
Season … School … Record
2006-07 … North Dakota St. … 20-8
2005-06 … North Dakota St. … 16-12
2004-05 … North Dakota St. … 16-12
2003-04 … North Dakota St. … 16-13
2002-03 … North Dakota St. … 20-11
2001-02 … North Dakota St. … 11-15
2000-01 … SW Minnesota St. … 28-7
1999-00 … SW Minnesota St. … 18-10
1998-99 … SW Minnesota St. … 16-11
1997-98 … SW Minnesota St. … 16-11
1996-97 … Mayville State … 18-11
1995-96 … Mayville State … 17-11
Overall … 212-132
