ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Charles McMillian, defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach, has stepped down from his post after three seasons to become the first head coach at St. Francis Episcopal, a new prep high school in the Houston area, announced head football coach Bob Davie.
McMillian was a key factor in helping UNM’s improved defense. The team recorded just four interceptions prior to his taking over as the defensive passing game coordinator. Since then, they have recorded 33, and the safeties have exactly half of all UNM interceptions over the last two seasons. Last year UNM’s passing defense shaved over 20 yards off its average from a year ago, down to 222.3 yards per game.
Overall, that defense helped UNM to a school record-tying 16 wins over the last two years, and a school record 11 conference wins over that same span.
“It’s really the perfect opportunity for my family,” said McMillian. “I have always wanted to be a head coach at the high school level. It will be a chance to take many of the things I’ve learned from New Mexico and my other coaching stops and implement them with a brand-new high school program. It’s a very exciting time.”
McMillian added, “I’m grateful to Coach Davie for the opportunity at New Mexico. Being a part of the growth and transformation of the program, working with these other great coaches and these great student-athletes that are not only highly talented but are high-character students is an experience that I will also hold close.”
“Chuck did a tremendous job for us,” said Davie. “I’m very happy for him to get this opportunity to be a head coach and continue to affect the lives of young men. I think he will do a great job.”
A native of Bryan, Texas, McMillian began his collegiate playing career at San Jose City College in 1991 and was his league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. He moved on to Utah State and led the Aggies to a Big West co-Championship in 1993 and a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl.
McMillian is a 1995 graduate of Utah State with a degree in science and liberal arts. McMillian and his wife, Cydryce McMillian, have four children: Isaiah, Mykayla and twins Chloe and Zoe. McMillian also has a daughter, Cherrelle. His wife Cydryce, who coached Cibola to a state title in volleyball, will coach volleyball at St. Francis Episcopal, which is adding an upper division program (grades 9-12) to its existing school (grades K-8).
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