Former ASU athletic director Fred Miller, passed away on October 22, 2017, at age 86. 

Miller played college football at the College of the Pacific and later earned his graduate degree at the University of Southern California. His doctoral dissertation at Indiana University in the early 1960s was on helmet construction and avoiding concussions in football players. He was one of the earliest proponents of player safety.

Miller was hired as ASU's athletic director in 1971, and in subsequent years oversaw a major expansion of the university's sports programs, including the addition of numerous women's programs, as well as upgrades to facilities.

His tenure coincided with a period when ASU football was gaining more national attention and success under Frank Kush, who had been head coach since 1958 and was highly regarded among boosters and fans for his hard-nosed methods and winning ways. His 1975 team finished the season undefeated and ranked second in the nation after a stunning defeat of national powerhouse Nebraska.

A few years later, Miller found himself in the middle of a controversy involving the by-then legendary coach. A punter on the team, Kevin Rutledge, accused Kush of shaking his face mask and punching him during a 1978 game. During a subsequent university investigation, some players supported Rutledge's claim and some assistant coaches said they were asked to lie to cover up for Kush. Miller fired Kush on October 13, 1979, for allegedly lying about the incident. The decision was made several hours before Kush coached his final game, an upset win over Washington. Afterward, he was carried off the field by the team.

Miller’s firing of Kush triggered threats and a backlash against the university. The fallout from Kush’s dismissal was extensive, with Miller's family receiving threats. More controversy involving the program surfaced soon after. 

Miller was fired in early 1980, and later that year ASU was placed on two-year NCAA probation with a one-year postseason ban in ’81 for a lengthy list of violations that occurred late in the Kush era. Lawsuits related to the Kush-Rutledge incident continued until 1986, but Kush never was found liable.

Miller left Arizona and became athletic director at San Diego State University from 1985 to 1995 and continued his involvement in various NCAA efforts.

Miller was inducted into the ASU sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

Miller’s death came just four months after Kush died at age 88.