NORTON, Mass. – Erin Miller has been named Head Coach for the Softball program at Wheaton College (Mass.), it was announced today by Gavin Viano, Associate Vice President for Athletics & Strategic Programs.
Miller becomes the sixth head coach in program history and just the third in the past 33 years at Wheaton after succeeding Gina Loudenburg (1990-2008) and Rachael Powers (2009-23).
"I'm thrilled to be joining Wheaton as the next head softball coach," exclaimed Miller. "The pride the students, faculty and staff have for the college and the athletic program has been apparent throughout the entire hiring process. I want to thank Gavin Viano and Lisa Yenush for the opportunity to be a Lyon and work with a group of athletes, who seem united and determined, and build upon this well-respected program."
"Wheaton is thrilled to welcome Erin Miller to campus as our next Head Softball Coach," said Viano. "Erin has played and coached at several strong NCAA programs throughout her career, including stints at two fellow NEWMAC institutions, prior to her time guiding and building the program at Mitchell College. We're excited for Coach Miller to lead our current team of talented student-athletes into the 2024 season and in the years to come. It's an exciting time for Wheaton Softball."
Miller comes to Wheaton after guiding the Mitchell College softball team to unprecedented heights in four seasons in New London, Conn. She culminated her time with the Mariners by coaching them to a school-record 24 victories in 2023, while posting a 10-3 mark in conference play to capture the number two seed in the New England Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament. She was tapped the NECC Coach of the Year for the second straight season in 2023 after tutoring the conference Pitcher of the Year and eight All-Conference honorees in addition to registering a new program mark for non-conference wins with 14. Under Miller's direction, Mitchell led the NECC in on base percentage (.394), RBI (224), hits (356) and walks (115). The Mariners also posted a league best 3.06 ERA to go with 165 strikeouts.
In her first full season not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut native mentored Mitchell to a 19-21 overall record for its best showing since 2014, including a 6-6 league record. Miller proved her worth on the player development side, boasting the NECC Rookie of the Year, Co-Player of the Year and Co-Pitcher of the Year in addition to her top coaching accolade to give the Mariners a sweep of the conference's major awards in 2022.
Prior to her arrival at Mitchell in 2020, Miller previously spent two seasons as a graduate assistant and pitching coach at New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference rival Smith College, and prior to that she was a pitching coach for two seasons at the United States Coast Guard Academy. She joined the Smith coaching staff in August 2017, assisting in all aspects of the program while focusing on the pitching staff. She got her coaching start in 2015 at Coast Guard
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Miller enjoyed a decorated four-year playing career at Eastern Connecticut State University where she helped win four Little East Conference regular season titles and a pair of tournament championships. She went unbeaten in league action in 2014 and was named LEC Pitcher of the Year and a year later she propelled the Warriors to the LEC crown and was tabbed the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In 75 career appearances she sported an overall record of 36-14 with 153 strikeouts and a 2.79 ERA.
Miller graduated from Eastern Connecticut State with a degree in Sports and Leisure Management and earned a Master's degree in Exercise and Sport Studies at Smith.
