Western Wayne Today

Wayne State University head cross country and track & field coach Grant Lofdahl has announced the addition of Samantha Miller to the coaching staff.

"We are ecstatic to have Coach Sam joining our staff this season," commented Lofdahl. "She brings a great amount of experience from both the Division II and Division I levels. Her knowledge, expertise, and ability to connect with student-athletes will be of tremendous benefit for our program. I am very excited to see what Sam will do to help to make these Warriors better."

"I am so excited for the opportunity to work with the Warriors Cross Country and Track programs," stated Samantha Miller. "During my hiatus from coaching, I was always rooting for the Warriors to do well and got to celebrate the successes of the team with (my husband) Nate Miller. I hope I can help to keep moving the program to becoming a force to be reckoned with at the GLIAC, Regional, and National levels."

Samantha Miller, wife of Associate Head Coach for the Warrior women's track and field program Nate Miller, joined the WSU athletic department staff prior to the 2024-25 season. She will serve as a graduate assistant coach for both cross country teams as well as the women's track and field program.

Expected to complete her Ph.D. in Kinesiology in May of 2026, Miller earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science (Spanish minor) from UC Davis in 2012 before finishing a master's degree in Health and Physical Education Teaching from WSU in 2021.

Her coaching experience includes a pair of stops at Hillsdale (2013-14, 2016-18) and UC Davis (2014-16).

At Hillsdale:

- 2016 NCAA Division II Women's Program of the Year

- 2017 NCAA Men's and Women's Top 15 Programs of the Year

- 2017-18 Women's GMAC Triple Crown (Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Conference Champions)

- 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championships, Men and Women Team Qualifiers (first in school history)

- Coached Hannah McIntyre's program-best finish at 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championships (fourth)

- Coached several athletes to top 10 NCAA performances in track and field (Molly Oren in steeplechase)

- Coached several athletes to NCAA All-American honors in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field (Emily Oren, Molly Oren, Ally Eads, Hannah McIntyre)

At UC Davis:

- 2014 Big West Women's Cross Country Champions (second time in school history; first time was during her captain year)

- 2015 Big West Track and Field Champions and 3k Steeplechase sweep (Erika Barr first, Clara MacLeod second, Rianna Goins third)

- 2015 NCAA West Prelims Track and Field Qualifiers (Erika Barr Steeplechase; Clara MacLeod Steeplechase; Rianna Goins 800m)

As a student-athlete at UC Davis:

- 2011–12 Cross Country and Track & Field Captain

- 2011 Big West Cross Country Team Champions (first in program history)

- 2012 Big West Track & Field Champions (first in program history)

- Third All-Time in 3k Steeplechase (10:37.62 - achieved in 2011)

Miller has also taught at Wayne State as a graduate teaching assistant since 2022 while previously serving as an adapted PE teacher at Madison Center Wyandotte Public Schools during the academic year of 2021–22. Samantha Miller is married with two children named Billy and Talina.