In the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, we were able to catch up with Jim Miller, the director of athletics at New Orleans. When we taped the interview late Wednesday afternoon, Miller was driving back to New Orleans for the first time since evacuating the city over the weekend.

The majority of the school’s athletics teams stayed together at other college campuses while the hurricane passed. According to Miller, the situation is “a lot better than it was three years ago after Katrina.”

In our conversation, Miller described the detailed evacuation plans that were carried out in order to keep all of its student-athletes away from danger. Miller stressed that uncertainty is always present, so no matter what part of the country a school is located, it must be ready for anything.

Get connected with New Orleans’ AD Jim Miller.  

An excerpt follows:

Q: The preparations this time around…it seemed like from the outside looking that it was much more organized and much better. Would you agree with that?

A: There’s no question. Three years ago, we – and I say we as a resident of New Orleans – had a mindset that the big one’s never going to hit…I think everybody got a major wake-up call after Katrina. Consequently, we prepared a disaster plan, an emergency plan, a “what if” if it happens again, and so we were very prepared, where I can’t say the same three years ago…

Q: So what do you think other schools can learn from the way you guys prepared this time around?

A: I think the one thing you can take to the bank is that the only thing that is certain is uncertainty…it’s prudent to be prepared, you need to be prepared. One good thing now that the conference schools – us included – have done is we all have a mandatory evacuation plan or disaster plan, emergency plan on what to do just in case.