Alex Miller and Heath McKay are a dynamic duo known by the students are Carmel for their influence, athletics, their humor and much more. Heath McKay has played baseball for the majority of his life and now uses this passion to help the Carmel baseball team thrive both on and off the field. Alex Miller has been involved with sports his whole life, and now coaches both the JV girls soccer team and is an assistant coach for the Varsity Boys Basketball team.

Heath McKay

 Coach Heath McKay is one of the most respected figures at Carmel, where he serves as the head coach of the baseball team and also teaches physical education. Known for his positive attitude and strong character, McKay has made a lasting impact on his players and the entire school community.

A Love for Sports Growing Up:

 McKay’s love for sports started at a young age. Growing up, he played baseball and basketball, which were big parts of his life. He continued to play both sports in high school, where he was on the varsity basketball team for four years and played varsity baseball for five. His high school sports experiences helped shape his desire to eventually coach.

The Road to Coaching:

 Although McKay didn’t initially plan to become a coach, things changed after his first year coaching at Carmel. During his sophomore year in college, McKay was given the opportunity to begin coaching at Carmel Christian, a school he went to for a year in High School. He stated “that attending Carmel helped him grow spiritually, and he wanted to give back to the school that had such a big impact on his life.”

Core Values as a Coach:

 As a coach, McKay focuses on teaching his players accountability and responsibility. He wants each player to take ownership of their actions and hold each other accountable in a positive way. By doing this, he believes the team can achieve their goals. McKay also stresses that every player, no matter their role, is crucial to the team’s success.

Building Relationships and Overcoming Challenges:

 McKay enjoys building strong relationships with his players. He takes pride in getting to know them beyond just the baseball field, and he’s always there to support them. A big part of his coaching style is helping players overcome adversity. He teaches them that failure is part of the process and that learning from mistakes is key to growing as a player and a person.

Looking Ahead to the Future:

 The future of Carmel baseball is looking bright. McKay believes the team’s strong culture and hardworking athletes will lead to even more success in the years ahead. He’s excited about the talented players coming up through the program, and he’s confident that they’ll continue to build on the foundation that’s been established.

 Coach Heath McKay’s influence at Carmel goes far beyond baseball. Through his commitment to his players’ growth and success, both on and off the field, he’s become a mentor and role model to many. His impact will be felt for years to come, as he continues to inspire and guide his athletes.

 McKay states, “I love the relationships I get to develop on a day-to-day basis, seeing our guys throughout the day and being a part of their lives on more than just the baseball field.” 

Alex Miller

Alex Miller is a teacher and a coach here at Carmel Christian, where he has been for the past three years. Originally from Charlotte, Miller was born and raised here, and he comes from a big family–six brothers and one sister, all of whom live in the Charlotte area. He is married to his wife, Bella, whom he met at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), where she was a soccer player. The couple has two children: a 5-year-old son, Cal, and a 3-month-old daughter, Collins. Miller expresses deep gratitude for his family, stating that they are a major source of joy and support in his life.

Educational Journey:

Growing up, Miller went to a small private school called Charlotte United Christian Academy, and he played basketball there. His love for basketball continues on to this day, as he currently serves as the assistant coach for the varsity basketball team at Carmel Christian. Miller believes that sports have been critical in helping him shape meaningful relationships with athletes as well as coaches. He views sports as a platform to build strong bonds and develop character, emphasizing the importance of these connections both on and off the court.

College:

During his college years, Miller gained valuable coaching experience, as he coached soccer and basketball at the middle and high school at Charlotte United Christian Academy. After graduating from UNCC with a degree in exercise science, he took on a two-year internship in behavior therapy for children with autism. This led to a position at Fletcher School, where he worked for four years before joining Carmel Christian. Miller shares that he felt a strong sense of calling to Carmel, seeing it as an opportunity to further engage in discipleship and lead in a Christian environment. He is deeply appreciative of the positive and supportive atmosphere at Carmel.

Coaching 

Coaching has always been a passion for Miller, who believes it provides an opportunity to influence the next generation through sports. As Miller says, “You can get to know students on a deeper level during sports. It shows a lot about their character.” This personal connection with athletes is something Miller admires, and his coaching journey has provided him with many great memories, including the unforgettable experience of reaching the State Championship with the basketball team this season.

Miller and his family have been an incredible addition to the Carmel community. Students, players and colleagues have been impacted and will continued to be impacted by Miller’s faithful and fun-loving personality.