Douglas R. Mills

Douglas R. "Gaga" Mills (April 9, 1907 – August 12, 1993), a native of Elgin, Illinois, was a high school and college basketball player and coach in the state of Illinois. During high school, Mills was the first player in the state to lead his team to back-to-back titles in 1924 and 1925. He totaled 32 points in four state tournament games for Elgin High School during an era of low-scoring play. Mills played for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team from 1927 to 1930[1] followed by a five-year coaching stint at Joliet Township High School. It was at Joliet where he led his team to the state tournament in 1935. He returned to the U of I as head men's basketball coach between 1936 and 1947. It was during this time where he coached the famous "Whiz Kids" and later served as the Fighting Illini's athletic director. Mills died in 1993.

For the American photographer, see Doug Mills (photographer).
Douglas R. Mills
Biographical details
Born(1907-04-09)April 9, 1907
Elgin, Illinois
DiedAugust 12, 1993(1993-08-12) (aged 85)
Urbana, Illinois
Playing career
Football
1927–1929Illinois
Basketball
1927–1930Illinois
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1936–1941Illinois (assistant)
Basketball
1931–1935Joliet Central HS
1936–1947Illinois
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1941–1966Illinois
Head coaching record
Overall151–66 (college)
68–36 (high school)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 Big Ten (1937, 1942, 1943)
Awards
100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament (2007)

While coaching at Illinois, Mills compiled a record of 151 wins and 66 losses, winning three conference titles during his tenure. Mills served as Athletic Director for the University of Illinois from 1941 to 1966, responsible for football coaches Ray Eliot and Pete Elliott and basketball coach Harry Combes. In 2007, the Illinois High School Association named Mills one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament.

Head coaching record

High school
School Season Record Postseason
Joliet Township HS 1930-31 12-10
Joliet Township HS 1931-32 16-3
Joliet Township HS 1932-33 10-9
Joliet Township HS 1933-34 18-4 District Champions
Joliet Township HS 1934-35 12-10 State Quarterfinalist
Coaching totals1930-3568-36

College
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Illinois Fighting Illini (Big Ten Conference) (1936–1947)
1936–37 Illinois 14–410–2T–1st
1937–38 Illinois 9–94–8T–8th
1938–39 Illinois 14–58–43rd
1939–40 Illinois 14–67–5T–4th
1940–41 Illinois 13–77–5T–3rd
1941–42 Illinois 18–513–21st
1942–43 Illinois 17–112–01st
1943–44 Illinois 11–95–76th
1944–45 Illinois 13–77–53rd
1945–46 Illinois 14–77–5T–5th
1946–47 Illinois 13–78–4T–2nd
Illinois: 151–6688–47
Total:151–66

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References
  1. http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/MBKBHist-All-TimeRosters--1925-49.html#1937 Archived 2010-03-22 at the Wayback Machine
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