Remembering Coach Challace McMillin

Over his five decades of service at JMU, Challace McMillin touched the lives of many. Today, we give former players, coaches and athletics administrators a platform to express what Coach Mac meant to them.

Les Branich, JMU Football Student-Athlete (1972-75)
"The thing Coach McMillin was so good at was the relationships he forged with people. He engaged with everyone. Coach McMillin was special to a lot of people, and tons of people were special to him. When he talked to you, you felt like you were the most important person in the world to him. It's so good he had those relationships with almost anyone he came in contact with.

I lost my dad my freshman year of college, he's been with me as sort of a father figure with losing my dad, losing my mom in '99 and my brother two years ago. He's been there for me the whole time. I get my knee replaced 10-11 years ago, and for the first month, he called me every single day wanting to know how I was doing. That was just him.

Becoming a man, doing the right things, integrity… all those things Coach instilled in all of us. He was an example of all those things. He's a wonderful role model. The things he endured and overcame the first few years of football were monumental. He had to recruit players out of orientation lines. He had to recruit coaches in a matter of a month. It was a monumental task what he had to do to that first year. He kept plugging forward with a positive attitude. He always taught us to be prepared, not to get too high or too low and you'll be able to handle anything that you face. He was just a rock."

D.R. Carlson, JMU Football Student-Athlete (1987-90)
"Although I never had the chance to play for Coach McMillin, there are very few individuals from JMU that have had a larger impact on me. During my first semester at JMU, Coach McMillin was a professor of mine. While he took an interest in me being part of the football team, he seemed just as interested in my academic pursuits as well. The overall student-athlete experience seemed to matter so much to him. Although I only had Coach McMillin for that one class, anytime I would see him on campus he would greet me with a handshake and ask how I was doing. After I graduated, I started attending the Football Alumni Golf Tournament. For the past 29 years, rain or shine, I don't recall Coach McMillin not being there. Still greeting me with a handshake and asking me how I was, as if he had just seen me the day before. I have often heard it said that Coach McMillin 'built' the JMU football program. While I believe that is true, I also believe that he never stopped building it. Long after he was done coaching, he was still building the program, one player at a time. I am honored to have been one of those players."

Ron'Dell Carter, JMU Football Student-Athlete (2017-19)
"Coach McMillin was a great man. Ever since I stepped foot on JMU's campus, he's made me feel right at home. He started this program, and if it wasn't for him, JMU would not be in the place it is in today. He's a staple in the JMU community. Seeing him walk around all of our practices, greeting every single player, watching our drills just brought joy to everyone. He and I had a great relationship. We had great conversations, great interactions, we even had a handshake. Coach McMillin meant an awful lot to me. After winning CAA Defensive Player of the Year, he took the time to congratulate me, and one of the last things he said to me was, 'I am so glad you are a friend of mine.' He we will be truly missed. I will make sure I apply his daily mantra of 'One Play at a Time' to my everyday life."

Warren Coleman, JMU Football Student-Athlete (1975-78)
"Coach Mac was my coach, boss and friend. I treasure all these phases, but the years when I was a former player/friend have the fondest memories. He always greeted me with his smile and 'How ya doing?' He was the symbol of 'Engaged' before it became JMU's message. He knew my kids, attended weddings and truly wanted to know how you were doing. I often drove Coach around the Alumni Golf Tournament, and it was such a treat to see his smile and the smiles of the former players as they exchanged hugs and even a story or two there on the course. He was truly loved by his players because he was so engaged. We will miss seeing him walk the tailgate areas on game day and the birthday calls, but we will never forget him because as long as his players and those he taught are alive, his values will live on."

Patty Dorfer, JMU Football Administrative Assistant
"I loved that man, he just brightened everybody's day when he walked in. He's the father of JMU football. I remember him being so gentle, everybody loved him. He'll be remembered for his genuine love for the university, for the players, and for all the people he met. He was one of kind, a dear friend and I'll never forget him."

Curt Dudley, JMU Director of Broadcast Services
"I consider Challace among those I put into the exceptional category of 'Quiet Hero,' a humble individual with a consistent, benevolent demeanor and respect for all, which in turn generates respect by all."

Coach McMillin

Dr. Bob Harmison, JMU Sport Psychologist
"I'll remember him as one of the kindest, most caring persons I have ever met and worked with.

When I interviewed for my current position nearly 13 years ago, Challace walked me around campus to introduce me to coaches, athletic administrators, etc. We bumped into half a dozen or so folks on campus as we went from place to place, ranging from student-athletes to coaches to facilities folks. We stopped and briefly chatted with each person, and I just observed him genuinely interact with each individual we met in a heart-felt and thoughtful way. We didn't run into Dr. Rose (University President at that time), but if we had, I'm convinced that he wouldn't have treated him any better than he treated the housekeeper responsible for keeping the Godwin bathrooms clean.

Challace was a living example for me that everyone matters and plays an important role no matter who they are. That's a powerful memory and a meaningful life lesson that I will carry with me going forward and attempt to apply not only in my work as a sport psychologist here at JMU but in my personal and family life as well."

Mike Houston, Former JMU Football Head Coach (2016-18)
"I don't know how many people truly know how he started the football program there but listening to him talk through those first several years, especially the first year, it's pretty remarkable how quickly he built a program that was highly successful. The second thing that stands out is how much he cared about James Madison University and the football program, because you're talking about a guy whose last days coaching were over 30 years ago. He was a constant at practice. I always received messages from him. He was at practice virtually every day, and it was always in a supportive way. It was never about him; it was about how he could support the players and the coaches. That's genuine care and a selfless attitude.

The one thing people don't realize is even after I left, he stayed in touch. He called me the week my father passed to just talk, he called me on my birthday in November. I would receive periodic messages from him over the past year and change. He's someone once you had a relationship or a bond with him, he always tried to continue that relationship in a positive manner. I think that says a lot about what kind of a genuine, caring person he is. I'll always have fond memories of him and certainly I think anyone who ever came into contact with him probably has a similar story."

Mickey Matthews, Former JMU Football Head Coach (1999-2013)
"[Coach McMillin] was over in Godwin in a little bitty office, not much to it. At that point, I asked our athletic director and president if they minded if I moved him over to the football office with us because he had some terrific motivational ideas he had with the team. He was just really good with our players who had problems off the field. He became a mentor to me in terms of how to handle the players.

The best story I have on Coach McMillin was the night we upset Appalachian State. It was #1 vs. #2. We were really ready to play but found ourselves down 21-0 at the half. You always go speak to your coaches and when I walked back in the locker room at the half, he had gathered up all our players. He was being very positive with them and told them they could come back and win the game. He was very instrumental in our players coming back in the second half to win it. I really leaned on him what to say to the players, how to motivate them. He ran several team meetings. He and I were really, really close. He was really terrific.

He, Dr. Carrier and Dean Ehlers had a vision that JMU football could be where it was and they laid a great foundation for us. Challace loved JMU football, it was his whole life. That's why I loved having him around and bouncing ideas off him all the time. He wanted what was best for JMU football team. He loved the kids."

On JMU's national championship win in 2004: "The smile on his face, he was really beaming. It meant a lot to him."

Shelia Moorman, Former JMU Women's Basketball Coach (1982-97) and Administrator (1997-2012)
"I'm heartbroken over the loss of a wonderful man, Challace McMillin. A good coach and col-league, yes, but an even better human being. We became friends while spending time together at JMU Faculty Emeriti events. I will miss our talks about football and basketball. Rest in peace Coach Mac."

Scott Norwood, JMU Football Student-Athlete (1978-81)
"To me, Challace McMillin was very simply, one of the greatest men that I have known during my life. I always called him 'Coach,' meant in the most endearing interpretation of the term. You see, he always understood that when he taught you how to be the best you could be as a player, that he was simultaneously teaching lessons about how to succeed in life. He could carry this off because of the numerous qualities he demonstrated in all aspects of his life. Coach Mac was a man of great principle and deep character… a role model. Many years ago, he shared one of his favorite quotes with me, that being, 'The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit,' by Nelson Henderson. I, like so many others today, enjoy the shade of a tree that was planted for us by him. I will forever miss him, and am thankful that when I last saw him, I hugged him and told him that I loved him. I will never forget Coach Mac."

Coach McMillin with Charles Haley

Jennifer Phillips, JMU Associate Athletic Director
"Challace McMillin's impact on so many lives is indescribable. He had stayed connected to all those that came through the football program from the moment he started the program to those currently on the team. It was impossible to not be happy the moment you saw Coach approaching and anticipating the knowledge he was going to share with you. I will miss looking out my office window to see him at practice knowing he would be walking through soon to say hello to everyone and leave a trail of smiles and happiness. I learned from him to care for each athlete that comes through JMU Athletics and to stay connected even after their journey takes them away from campus. I will forever be grateful for those moments we had to just sit and talk."

Bryan Schor, JMU Football Student-Athlete (2014-17)
"Having the man who started JMU's football program over 45 years ago regularly attending practice was something we all recognized to be special. Having known Coach McMillin during his later years at JMU, it was his humility that left a lasting impact on me. It didn't matter that he was the founder of JMU football, he constantly made it known how grateful he was to still be a piece of the program. I always admired that about him."

Joe Showker, JMU Football Student-Athlete (1976-78)
"Obviously he believed in being in the 'moment.' As an athlete, that meant focusing on the task at hand. Not worrying about what ifs or what happened before; just now with the best focused effort you can bring. My quote would be of a recent connection and observing coach Mac. I'd post a tidbit, story or meme online, and he reply back many, many times: 'thanks for sharing that.'"

Bryan Stinespring, JMU Football Student-Athlete (1982-85) and Former Coach (2016-17)
"He was always there for you, he always cared about the person you are never stopped caring. He was waiting on me when I came back to JMU. He watched me coach and would offer his advice whenever he felt it would help. Still coaching me up. He called me at Maryland during a difficult time to encourage me and offer me support. He never stopped caring."

Kevin White, JMU Associate Athletic Director and JMU Football Student Athlete (1986-90)
"Coach Mac was the ultimate teacher. He cared immensely about people, and he lived it. He had a strong set of core values, and he demonstrated those each and every day. He demonstrated those as a coach, as a teacher and even when he was no longer in both of those roles. One of the things that stands out is that he never missed a birthday. He always sent me a card with candy. For a guy to give that much thought in honoring me on my day is special, because he's not related to me. He was a class guy who carried himself extremely well. He could have a bad day and you would never know, he wanted to know how you were doing. He was always giving encouragement and words to take on your journey. He's a guy who has left a legacy by making people matter, making people feel important. You just don't find that today. He's one of the 'old dogs' who value people, care, and groom young people. He will definitely be missed.

Anytime you start something, you start a football program, he established a foundation. He and his staff had a great eye for talent, because three of our most decorated players, he bought to this university, in Charles Haley, Scott Norwood and Gary Clark. That's a hell of a foundation. I don't think we'd be where we are today without his passion, his vision and his care and love for this institution. The purple and gold will always be indebted to him for carving the way and making a path for JMU football."

Gallery: (3/16/2020) Coach McMillin Tribute