‘Cradle of Coaches’ documentary to tell the story of Miami University’s iconic football coaching tradition
Film from Cincinnati video production company RESLV will premiere in spring 2026
Published
Miami University's Cradle of Coaches has a plaza dedicated to it at Yager Stadium in Oxford. The Cradle of Coaches is the subject of an upcoming documentary from Cincinnati-based video production company RESLV.
‘Cradle of Coaches’ documentary to tell the story of Miami University’s iconic football coaching tradition
Published
From Paul Brown to John Harbaugh, Weeb Ewbank to Sean McVay, Miami University’s football coaching tradition runs deep. An upcoming documentary will explore the grand tradition of Miami’s famed Cradle of Coaches and the lasting impact Miamians have made on the game of football.
“Cradle of Coaches,” a documentary from RESLV (pronounced Resolve), a video production company based in Cincinnati, will premiere in spring 2026 before a wider release in the fall. A trailer for the documentary is now available.
Nearly 80 participants have been interviewed for the project, including Cradle members and current NFL head coaches Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens) and McVay (Los Angeles Rams).
“The Cradle of Coaches represents remarkable achievements, steadfast leadership, and is iconic in the world of football,” said David Sayler, Miami’s director of Athletics. “We are proud that our story is being told in this way and that the legend of the Cradle of Coaches will reach new generations through this documentary.”
Bob Kurz, a 1958 Miami graduate and former sports information director, is credited with coining the Cradle of Coaches phrase in 1959 when he was inspired by the success of alumni Paul Dietzel, Ara Parseghian, Brown, and Ewbank, and former Miami coach Sid Gillman. In 1983, Kurz penned the book “Miami of Ohio: The Cradle of Coaches,” outlining how Miamians have revolutionized the game of football in both the collegiate and professional ranks.
Several notable football personalities have been interviewed for the project, including Bengals owner Mike Brown, current Bengals coach Zac Taylor, College Football Hall of Fame inductee Lou Holtz, and former Miami and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Harbaugh and McVay are the two most recent additions to the Cradle of Coaches Plaza at Yager Stadium, which features bronze statues of famous Miami coaching alumni. Originally dedicated in October 2010, the Cradle of Coaches Plaza features the likenesses of Harbaugh, McVay, Brown, Ewbank, Dietzel, Parseghian, John Pont, Carm Cozza, Bo Schembechler, and Red Blaik.
An initial gift from Kurz and his wife, Marian, helped establish the plaza, while a gift from the family of Thomas Van Voorhis helped make the area at the south end of Yager Stadium a reality. A statue of Van Voorhis can be seen outside the gates leading to the plaza.
While the plaza is dedicated to football coaches, Miami routinely inducts coaches across all sports into the Cradle of Coaches. More than 100 Miami alumni have worked in collegiate or professional sports roles, with over 30 currently serving as a head coach.
“The Cradle of Coaches isn’t just a phrase — it’s a legacy that has shaped the game of football and the leaders within it,” said Scott Thompson, director and founder of RESLV. “At RESLV, we’re honored to bring this powerful story to life. There’s no greater privilege than capturing the passion, leadership, and enduring impact of these extraordinary coaches.”
“Cradle of Coaches,” a documentary from RESLV (pronounced Resolve), a video production company based in Cincinnati, will premiere in spring 2026 before a wider release in the fall. A trailer for the documentary is now available.
Nearly 80 participants have been interviewed for the project, including Cradle members and current NFL head coaches Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens) and McVay (Los Angeles Rams).
“The Cradle of Coaches represents remarkable achievements, steadfast leadership, and is iconic in the world of football,” said David Sayler, Miami’s director of Athletics. “We are proud that our story is being told in this way and that the legend of the Cradle of Coaches will reach new generations through this documentary.”
Bob Kurz, a 1958 Miami graduate and former sports information director, is credited with coining the Cradle of Coaches phrase in 1959 when he was inspired by the success of alumni Paul Dietzel, Ara Parseghian, Brown, and Ewbank, and former Miami coach Sid Gillman. In 1983, Kurz penned the book “Miami of Ohio: The Cradle of Coaches,” outlining how Miamians have revolutionized the game of football in both the collegiate and professional ranks.
Several notable football personalities have been interviewed for the project, including Bengals owner Mike Brown, current Bengals coach Zac Taylor, College Football Hall of Fame inductee Lou Holtz, and former Miami and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Harbaugh and McVay are the two most recent additions to the Cradle of Coaches Plaza at Yager Stadium, which features bronze statues of famous Miami coaching alumni. Originally dedicated in October 2010, the Cradle of Coaches Plaza features the likenesses of Harbaugh, McVay, Brown, Ewbank, Dietzel, Parseghian, John Pont, Carm Cozza, Bo Schembechler, and Red Blaik.
An initial gift from Kurz and his wife, Marian, helped establish the plaza, while a gift from the family of Thomas Van Voorhis helped make the area at the south end of Yager Stadium a reality. A statue of Van Voorhis can be seen outside the gates leading to the plaza.
While the plaza is dedicated to football coaches, Miami routinely inducts coaches across all sports into the Cradle of Coaches. More than 100 Miami alumni have worked in collegiate or professional sports roles, with over 30 currently serving as a head coach.
“The Cradle of Coaches isn’t just a phrase — it’s a legacy that has shaped the game of football and the leaders within it,” said Scott Thompson, director and founder of RESLV. “At RESLV, we’re honored to bring this powerful story to life. There’s no greater privilege than capturing the passion, leadership, and enduring impact of these extraordinary coaches.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.
