Two of state’s best high school basketball coaches honored
Posted by: Leelanau Sports Guy on 
Feb 22nd, 2005 | 
Filed under: Leland Comets
Glen Lake honors coaching legends
Miller, Swierad won 950 games
Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek
Maple City - The best kept secret in Leelanau County involved two of the best high school basketball coaches in state history.
Former Glen Lake coaches Don Miller and Ted Swierad were honored on Friday night for their longtime dedication and contribution to the Lakers’ boys and girls basketball programs.
But neither knew about the ceremony until they were called out from the bleachers.
“I had no idea. Neither of us had a clue,” said Miller, who retired last fall after 31 years as boys coach. “I was told I was going to give a track award to Paul (Christiansen), then I saw Ted and I thought, ‘What is he doing here?’ And I saw (former Leland coaches) Jim Munoz and Larry Glass and I thought, ‘What are they doing here?’
“I thought it was weird, but I still didn’t realize it had anything to do with me.”
Miller and Swierad combined to win 950 of 1,267 games - a winning percentage of .750. Their teams played in 12 Final Fours, and each won a state title - Miller’s boys in 1977 and Swierad’s girls in 1978.
My view: When you think of Glen Lake Boys and Girls Basketball these are the two names everyone knows and will always remember. In my opinion Don Miller is the best boys basketball coach in Northern Michigan history. And if not for Larry Glass, Ted Swierad would be for girls basketball. I just have to give the edge to Larry because they have both had some great teams, but Larry has done amazing things with not so great teams too. Just going to coach Miller’s summer basketball camps you could pick up so much. Both of these guys coached the game the right way and it shows with the type of people and players they helped build. Congrats to both on great careers. They will always be remembered.
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