John Fletcher Miller (1890-1972) was born May 27, 1890, in Warrensburg, Mo. After graduating from Missouri State Teachers College, Miller was a coach at Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, Mo., from 1910 to 1914. During this time, he also played professional baseball with the St. Louis Browns. After further education at Springfield College in Massachusetts, Miller served as a basketball, baseball, and football coach at the University of Missouri from 1916 to 1921. He then coached at Albion College in Michigan for three years.

In 1924, Miller became the Head of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics at North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University). He served as the head of the Physical Education Department and Director of Intramural Sports from 1924 to 1956. For eight years during this period Miller was the Director of Athletics. He also served as the president of the North Carolina Physical Education Association. The Miller Fields on the N.C. State campus are named for him.

Miller married Flossie Merle Hays in August 1916; they had three sons and one daughter. He died in March 1972.