miller's next move was a return to southwestern ohio in 2001. this time, he would join thad matta's staff at xavier as the first associate head coach in the school's history. the musketeers won 26 games in each of miller's three seasons under matta, making the ncaa tournament each season. the 2004 season was especially notable. first, the musketeers won the atlantic 10 postseason tournament despite having to play four games to do so. xavier then made a deep run in the subsequent ncaa tournament, finishing with the school's first-ever appearance in the elite eight.