COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- University of Maryland tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Mike Miller has been named to the American Football Coaches Association's 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, the organization announced.

Miller is one of just 35 coaches out of over 200 nominees to be recognized on the annual list.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.

Under Miller's tutelage, senior tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo had one of the best years of any tight end in the country, leading all Big Ten tight ends in receiving touchdowns (five) and receptions in conference games (41), while ranking sixth among all Power Five tight ends in touchdowns. Okonkwo's 29 receptions over the last four games of the season are the most ever by a Maryland tight end and his 259 yards are the most since Vernon Davis had 358 over a four game stretch in 2005. 

Okonkwo recorded 12 receptions against No. 22 Penn State, the second-highest reception total ever by a Maryland tight end. His 112 receiving yards at No. 8 Michigan State was the most by a Terps tight end since Davis had 139 yards at North Carolina in 2005. The 112 yards were the second-most by any Big Ten tight end in a game this season. 

Miller is also key in assisting Head Coach Michael Locksley and Offensive Coordinator Dan Enos in the organization of Maryland's passing game. The Terps rank 14th in the FBS in passing offense, averaging 307.1 yards per game. QB Taulia Tagovailoa stands top three in the Big Ten in passing yards (3,595), passing touchdowns (24), completion percentage (68.4%), completions (308), total offense (302.8) and 300-yard passing games (7). Tagovailoa has set program single-season records in passing yards, completions and 300-yard passing games.

Members of the AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute will attend the 2022 AFCA Convention in San Antonio in January. They will be published in the bi-monthly AFCA Magazine, AFCA Insider weekly email blast, and/or have their articles and videos added to the AFCA Educational Library. Additionally, participants will be placed on the AFCA Foundation Committee and become a part of a prestigious network of rising coaches in the profession, along with many other great benefits.

To be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after January 1, 1987, and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or five-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant's choosing back in the summer.