Biography
Milus enters his third season with the Colts as the team's defensive backs coach. He has 33 years of coaching experience, including 24 seasons in the NFL.
Indianapolis ranked fifth in the NFL in tackles for loss (94.0) and sacks (51.0), while finishing tied for fifth in forced fumbles (17.0) in 2023. The Colts also ranked fourth in opponent negative play yards (-512). The team recorded 14 consecutive games with a takeaway to open the season, which was the longest streak in the NFL in 2023.
In 2023, Milus guided safety Julian Blackmon to a career year in which he set single-season career highs in almost every defensive category, including tackles (88), solo tackles (65), tackles for loss (5.0), passes defensed (eight), interceptions (four) and fumble recoveries (two). His four interceptions led the team.
Milus also mentored two starting rookie cornerbacks in JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones. As a seventh round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones saw action in all 17 games (10 starts) and finished with 43 tackles (32 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and five passes defensed.
In 2022, Indianapolis finished the season in the top 10 in the league in forced fumbles (13 – tied-eighth), fumble recoveries (11 – tied-fourth), opponent negative plays (31 – fifth), third down percentage (37.95 – 10th) and opponent three-and-out percentage (22.3 – eighth).
Milus worked with veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who compiled 66 tackles (53 solo), 11 passes defensed and two interceptions. Gilmore established single-season career highs in total tackles and solo tackles. His 11 passes defensed led the team and were his highest total since 2019. Cornerback Kenny Moore II registered 65 tackles (50 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and four passes defensed.
At safety, Milus guided a group that included veterans Rodney McLeod Jr. and Blackmon in addition to rookie Rodney Thomas II. A seventh-round pick, Thomas II led the team with four interceptions, while McLeod Jr. (two) and Blackmon (one) each registered interceptions as well. An 11-year pro, McLeod Jr. established single-season career highs in total tackles (92), tackles for loss (8.0) and passes defensed (eight).
Prior to Indianapolis, Milus served as the defensive backs coach with the Las Vegas Raiders for one season (2021). He guided cornerback Brandon Facyson to career highs in tackles (53), solo tackles (40), passes defensed (13) and interceptions (one).
He worked with the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers for eight seasons coaching the defensive backs (2017-20) and secondary (2013-16). From 2017-20, Milus assisted a defensive backs group that ranked sixth in total yards allowed per game (329.6) and net passing yards allowed per game (212.3) during that time frame. The team ranked in the top 10 in net passing yards in each of the four seasons, including two top-five ratings. In 2020, he worked with cornerback Michael Davis, who posted career highs in tackles (63), passes defensed (14) and interceptions (three). His 14 passes defensed tied for the eighth-most in the NFL.
In 2018, he helped with the development of safety Derwin James Jr., whom the team selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. As a rookie, James Jr. started all 16 games and compiled 105 tackles (75 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three interceptions en route to earning numerous awards, including Associated Press First Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, PFWA All-NFL Team and PFWA All-Rookie team accolades. He became the first rookie in Chargers history to record 100 or more tackles. Milus also worked with second-year cornerback Desmond King II, who was named Associated Press First Team All-Pro after he played in all 16 games (eight starts) and finished with 61 tackles (46 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one special teams stop. James Jr. (AP First Team All-Pro at safety and Second Team at defensive back) and King II (AP First Team All-Pro at defensive back and Second Team at punt returner) became the first player in team history to be named AP All-Pro at two positions.
Milus tutored cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. to an NFL-high seven interceptions in 2016, becoming the first Charger to lead the NFL outright in interceptions since 2007 (Antonio Cromartie). The team had 11 different players tally an interception that season, which was the most in the NFL by one team that season and the most by the franchise since 2004. During his time as secondary coach, he guided multiple players to Pro Bowl accolades, including Hayward Jr. (2016), cornerback Jason Verrett (2015) and safety Eric Weddle (2013-14).
Prior to San Diego/Los Angeles, he spent two seasons (2011-12) with the Denver Broncos as the team's secondary coach. In 2012, Denver ranked second in total defense (290.8 yards per game), third in pass defense (199.6 yards per game), seventh in opponent completion percentage (57.4 percent) and ninth in opponent passer rating (79.4). He mentored Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, who earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his two seasons under Milus.
From 2009-2010, Milus worked as the secondary coach with the Carolina Panthers. In 2010, Carolina held opponents to only 212.1 passing yards per game. In his first season with the team, the Panthers ranked fourth in pass defense (191.0 yards per game) and interception percentage (4.44 percent).
Milus spent three years (2006-08) with the St. Louis Rams, serving two seasons as assistant secondary coach (2006-07) before being promoted to secondary coach for one season (2008). In his final season with the team, the defensive backs recorded 16 interceptions, which was the most by the Rams' secondary in 10 years.
Prior to St. Louis, Milus served as secondary coach with the New York Giants for two seasons (2004-05). In his first season with the team, he assisted a defense that allowed just 189.4 passing yards per game, which ranked eighth in the NFL.
In 2003, Milus was the defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals and coached safety Dexter Jackson, who tied for fourth in the NFC with six interceptions.
Milus first entered the NFL working with the Broncos as their defensive backs coach (2000-02) before shifting to nickelbacks coach for one season (2003). He worked with cornerback Deltha O'Neal in 2001, who earned a Pro Bowl selection after he tied for third in the NFL in interceptions (nine). In 2000, Denver's defensive backs tallied 21 interceptions, which was the most by the team's secondary since 1987.
Prior to the NFL, Milus worked in the collegiate ranks with Texas A&M (1999) as defensive backs coach and Washington as defensive backs coach (1992-98) and graduate assistant (1991). In 1993, Washington led the nation with 22 interceptions.
Milus played for the Washington Huskies for four seasons (1982-85) as a cornerback and return specialist. He helped Washington finish No. 2 in the nation and win the Orange Bowl during the 1984 season.
Milus is a native of Tacoma, Wash. He is married to his wife, Sandra, and they have two sons, Ryan and Bobby. Ryan currently serves as defensive assistant with the Houston Texans and has also coached for the Las Vegas Raiders (2021) and Los Angeles Chargers (2019-20). Bobby coaches at Hamilton (Ariz.) High School.
Coaching Career
1991 Washington Graduate Assistant
1992-1998 Washington Defensive Backs
1999 Texas A&M Defensive Backs
2000-2001 Denver Broncos Defensive Backs
2002 Denver Broncos Nickelbacks
2003 Arizona Cardinals Defensive Backs
2004-2005 New York Giants Secondary
2006-2007 St. Louis Rams Assistant Secondary
2008 St. Louis Rams Secondary
2009-2010 Carolina Panthers Secondary
2011-2012 Denver Broncos Secondary
2013-2016 San Diego Chargers Secondary
2017-2020 Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Backs
2021 Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Backs
2022-2024 Indianapolis Colts Defensive Backs