Keith Millard was born in Pleasanton, California. He was a tight end and linebacker at Foothill High School in Pleasanton. Keith played college football at Washington State University.
As a freshman Millard played tight end but was moved to defensive tackle as a sophomore, where he started first time as a junior. Millard was voted first-team All-Pac-10 as a senior and won the Morris Trophy as the Pac-10's top defensive lineman.[2][3]
NFL career[]
Keith Millard was drafted in the first round of the 1984 NFL Draft and played one season in the USFL. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1988 and 1989. He currently holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season by a defensive tackle with 18 in 1989, and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season.[4] Early in the following season he suffered a major knee injury causing him to miss the rest of that season. Although he came back to play for several more years, he was never again a dominant force.
Keith’s large stature was a huge asset in bulking up the Minnesota Vikings defensive line. His All-Pro honors and record-setting sacks make him a Minnesota Vikings great. Millard played in 93 games during his career, making 58 sacks, and two interceptions.[5]
Millard was voted among the top 50 players to ever play for the Minnesota Vikings In 2010.[6]
After retirement as a player, Keith Millard went on to coaching. He coached at the college level and the Spring Football LeagueLos Angeles Dragons and the XFL, San Francisco Demons, before getting a job with the Denver Broncos' coaching staff as the club's defensive line coach/pass rush specialist. He was in charge of creating and implementing all pass rush techniques used in the Broncos' defensive scheme. Under Millard, the Broncos had one of the toughest defenses in the league. Millard coached the Oakland Raiders Defensive Line from 2005-2007. In 2009, Millard was hired as the Defensive Coordinator for the Merced College Blue Devils. On February 8, 2011, it was announced that Millard, along with Grady Stretz, will be a defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, specializing in pass rush. In 2012, Millard was hired by the Titans as an assistant coach.[4]