Bruce Miller Retiring as Pearl River Baseball Coach

Bruce Miller just completed his 25th season as Pearl River's baseball coach. It was also his last.

Miller held a meeting with is players last week to tell them that he is retiring as Pearl River's baseball coach, though he will continue as a teacher at Pearl River High School.

"It was emotional for me, but the kids were great," Miller said. "They handled it well. They made me feel good. They all gave me a hand shake and a huge, one-by-one. It's kinda nice. Now that it's out, it is easier."

Miller ends his career with 344 victories. He was first hired when Tom Doherty was Pearl River's Director of Athletics, tking over as head coach of both the baseball and football teams in 1989. He coached the football team for 10 years.

"At the end of the year, my wife and I were talking about it. I don't have much longer to be working. I can leave (teaching) in two years, when I will be 55 with 30 years in," Miller said. "I still love it when I'm out there. It's the stuff that comes with it that kind of swayed my decision not to continue coaching until I retire. I wouldn't be doing it for the right reasons. I want to end it while I still have the energy. 

"If I'm going to do it, I want to do it right. After 25 years, it takes at toll. On the field, I still love it."

Miller also wanted to spend more time with his family. His wife, Terry, recently retired and his son, Ryan Miller, is in the golf management program at North Carolina State.

"He has an internship that he would be away from February to August. I want to be able to go see him and not be obligated to stay for baseball," Miller said.

Miller said he would like to help the next coach in some way and takes pride in the program at Pearl River.

"It's time for someone with more energy and time to take it to the next level," Miller said.