Behind the Hall of Famer: Garrett Mills
5/7/2026 4:52:00 PM | Football
Garrett Mills has always had Tulsa in his blood. A Tulsa native, he grew up surrounded by Golden Hurricane pride; his parents are both alumni, his dad and uncle played football at TU, and his wife is a former letterwinner and alum. So when he learned he would be inducted into the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame, the moment hit differently.
"It's honestly a bit surreal," he said. "This recognition is incredibly meaningful and truly an honor."
What makes the achievement even more special is the family legacy that runs through every corner of campus. Mills didn't just play at TU; he lived it, breathed it, and built lasting relationships within a community that felt like home. "Because of that deep family connection, this recognition is truly an honor," he said.
Turning Point for Tulsa Football
Mills' time at Tulsa coincided with one of the most dramatic turnarounds in program history. As a freshman, the team won just one game. By his senior year, they had captured a conference championship and a bowl victory. The transformation didn't happen overnight, it was forged in the quiet, unseen moments that define a team's character.
"What I remember most are the day-to-day moments," Mills said. "The hours in the weight room, early morning runs, summer conditioning, and two-a-day practices. Being in that environment with teammates and close friends is something really special and unforgettable."
A New Energy in the Program
The catalyst for that change was the arrival of head coach Steve Kragthorpe, who brought a renewed sense of purpose and belief. "Coach Kragthorpe completely shifted the energy of the program," Mills said. "He almost instantly brought new life into the program."
Kragthorpe's staff played a critical role as well. Offensive coordinator Coach Charlie Stubbs implemented a system that maximized Mills' strengths, and tight ends Coach Matt Wells helped refine his game. "Coach Stubbs implemented a system that was very tight end friendly, and Coach Wells did an incredible job developing tight ends during my time at TU," Mills said. "I am truly grateful to each of them individually."
That collective leadership, paired with a roster of players fully bought in, led to a culture of toughness and accountability. "There was a toughness and accountability that developed over time," Mills said. "We went through the hard years together, and that built a level of trust and camaraderie that carried into the success we had later."
Lessons That Last
The lessons Mills learned at TU extended far beyond the football field. "The program had a huge impact on my life beyond athletics," he said. "It really instilled the importance of hard work and accountability, but most importantly the idea of controlling what you can control, your attitude and your effort."
Those values followed him through his NFL career and into his professional and personal life. "Even more importantly, they shape how I approach my role as a husband and a father," he said.
For Mills, TU isn't just a place he played football, it's the community that helped shape who he is. "It is a smaller school with a tighter alumni base and a more close-knit fan community, so you build strong, lasting relationships that carry well beyond your time on campus," he said. "There is also an underdog mentality, especially compared to other universities in the state, and that creates a unique sense of pride in being part of TU."
Embracing the Moment
Looking back, Mills knows what made that era special wasn't just the wins. It was the people. "The relationships you build with your teammates, the work you put in day to day. Those are the things you will remember most," he said.
And for fans who think they know every play he made, Mills offers a little-known memory from his senior season: "At different points, I lined up as both a punt returner as well as deep snapper that year!"
As he joins the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame, Mills hopes current student-athletes understand what truly matters. "Embrace the process and focus on what you can control, your attitude and your effort," he said. "If you stay committed, hold yourself accountable, and invest in the people around you, the results will take care of themselves."
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the football program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'TulsaFootball' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
"It's honestly a bit surreal," he said. "This recognition is incredibly meaningful and truly an honor."
What makes the achievement even more special is the family legacy that runs through every corner of campus. Mills didn't just play at TU; he lived it, breathed it, and built lasting relationships within a community that felt like home. "Because of that deep family connection, this recognition is truly an honor," he said.
Turning Point for Tulsa Football
Mills' time at Tulsa coincided with one of the most dramatic turnarounds in program history. As a freshman, the team won just one game. By his senior year, they had captured a conference championship and a bowl victory. The transformation didn't happen overnight, it was forged in the quiet, unseen moments that define a team's character.
"What I remember most are the day-to-day moments," Mills said. "The hours in the weight room, early morning runs, summer conditioning, and two-a-day practices. Being in that environment with teammates and close friends is something really special and unforgettable."
A New Energy in the Program
The catalyst for that change was the arrival of head coach Steve Kragthorpe, who brought a renewed sense of purpose and belief. "Coach Kragthorpe completely shifted the energy of the program," Mills said. "He almost instantly brought new life into the program."
Kragthorpe's staff played a critical role as well. Offensive coordinator Coach Charlie Stubbs implemented a system that maximized Mills' strengths, and tight ends Coach Matt Wells helped refine his game. "Coach Stubbs implemented a system that was very tight end friendly, and Coach Wells did an incredible job developing tight ends during my time at TU," Mills said. "I am truly grateful to each of them individually."
That collective leadership, paired with a roster of players fully bought in, led to a culture of toughness and accountability. "There was a toughness and accountability that developed over time," Mills said. "We went through the hard years together, and that built a level of trust and camaraderie that carried into the success we had later."
Lessons That Last
The lessons Mills learned at TU extended far beyond the football field. "The program had a huge impact on my life beyond athletics," he said. "It really instilled the importance of hard work and accountability, but most importantly the idea of controlling what you can control, your attitude and your effort."
Those values followed him through his NFL career and into his professional and personal life. "Even more importantly, they shape how I approach my role as a husband and a father," he said.
For Mills, TU isn't just a place he played football, it's the community that helped shape who he is. "It is a smaller school with a tighter alumni base and a more close-knit fan community, so you build strong, lasting relationships that carry well beyond your time on campus," he said. "There is also an underdog mentality, especially compared to other universities in the state, and that creates a unique sense of pride in being part of TU."
Embracing the Moment
Looking back, Mills knows what made that era special wasn't just the wins. It was the people. "The relationships you build with your teammates, the work you put in day to day. Those are the things you will remember most," he said.
And for fans who think they know every play he made, Mills offers a little-known memory from his senior season: "At different points, I lined up as both a punt returner as well as deep snapper that year!"
As he joins the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame, Mills hopes current student-athletes understand what truly matters. "Embrace the process and focus on what you can control, your attitude and your effort," he said. "If you stay committed, hold yourself accountable, and invest in the people around you, the results will take care of themselves."
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the football program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'TulsaFootball' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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