DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Coaching the St Teresa Bulldogs is special for Brit Miller.

“St Teresa really is home for me,” Miller expressed. “I have a family of 94 here in Decatur, so it’s wonderful to see familiar faces and reminisce about the glory days from when I was playing.

Miller gained valuable lessons from playing football at Illinois and his four-year NFL journey. Notably, he was instrumental in the 07′ Illini team that defeated top-ranked Ohio State.

He recounts memories of that game here:

He’s imparting that knowledge to a group of kids he’s coached since before they arrived at St. T.

“He instructs us on embracing accountability and moving past mistakes we’ve made,” commented Eli Lees, a junior defensive tackle and tight end at St. Teresa.

Despite a 1-5 record, the Bulldogs have embraced the challenge of playing an independent schedule.

“We’ve put in tremendous effort this season,” said junior receiver and safety Brett Cleary. “Each game prepares us for the next, and we approach practice like any other game, aiming to go 1-0 each week.”

The third-year head coach uses the ups and downs his players face to prepare them for life beyond the gridiron.

“Winning isn’t everything, but competition is,” Miller remarked. “If we compete at the highest level, these young men will understand what it’s like to face wins and losses, but they must keep moving forward. If we’re not fostering that, we’re failing as coaches.”

St Teresa is hoping that the challenges encountered this season will result in a second win during homecoming against a former conference opponent in our Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game of the Week.

“You can lose money. You can lose a lot of good things in life, but nobody can ever take away what you’ve earned,” Miller said. “Whenever you earn it out here, between the white lines, there’s nothing better.”

Miller’s Bulldogs face Central A&M-Okaw Valley Friday at St. Teresa