Women’s basketball coach takes a job in Fridley
Tim Myles’ eventful career at Rainy River Community College has come to a close.
The minority services director, recruiter and coach made the decision Saturday to take a job as a sales associate for Kraft Foods in Fridley, Minn. His first day is Sept. 21.
The decision, although difficult, was strictly financial. He was excited about his recruiting class in women’s basketball this season and didn’t take the decision to move lightly.
“Yeah, (the decision) was tough,” Myles said Wednesday night after attending the RRCC home-opening volleyball match. “Especially with the recruiting class we’ve had this year. I thought we had a really good recruiting class. In the long run, I had some hours cut from last year and in the long run, I couldn’t financially afford to continue.”
Myles arrived at RRCC four years ago as a minority services director and recruiter, and took over a football program in shambles. Things started turning around in his second season, but the controversial program was discontinued.
Myles was also coach last season when the women’s basketball program was discontinued, but it was quickly reinstated when Mike Johnson took over as provost.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Myles said. “I would say I’ve had a lot of good support from a lot of people in the community, but in all it has been a roller coaster ride.”
Johnson said the college will do a “quick search” for a women’s basketball coach before reevaluating Myles’ other duties. Basketball practices begin in October.
“We certainly don’t have any ill feelings for him taking this,” Johnson said. “We’re happy for him and are ready to start a new chapter.”
RRCC athletic director Mel Millerbernd was sad to hear the news.
“We’re going to greatly miss Tim. He’s a great guy,” Millerbernd said Wednesday. “That was a down point today to hear that, but we wish him the best.”
Myles and his wife have two kids attending Falls High School — Tim Jr., a senior, and Jordan, a sophomore — but they will stay around for the remainder of the school year.
“It’s been a lot of mixed feelings,” Myles said. “For my family’s sake and for the betterment of our family and financial situation, there hasn’t been any regret. In terms of leaving the community, that’s been a tough one. Again, with the recruiting class I have, I think they have the ability to be very good this year. I have mixed feelings about that, as well.”
