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Tim Miller Fired As Buffalo Grove Baseball Coach


In a surprising move, Buffalo Grove fired baseball coach Tim Miller after five seasons with the program June 12.

Miller went 113-62-1 in his career at Buffalo Grove, winning two regional titles, one sectional title and one appearance in super-sectionals (2018). The Bison went 80-23-1 over the last three seasons. Buffalo Grove won 20-plus games each of the last three seasons, something only done once before in program history. The last time that happened was 1998-2000 (went 72-30-1 in that time).

Miller went 9-5 in the playoffs over his five seasons. He was named an area IHSBCA (Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association) Coach of the Year for his work in 2018. He leaves as the second winningest coach in program history behind John Wendell (406-305-6 in 23 years).

Miller, an Elk Grove alum, coached many future college baseball players, including Zach Fricke (Valparaiso), Mac Camardo (Case Western), John Carpinelli (Indianapolis), T.J. Constertina (St. Thomas, MN), John Lundgren (Triton), Aidan Dolan (Ryerson), Carter Gledhill (Concordia), Danny Pocklington (Grinnell), Justin Meyer (Harper) and Riley Rundquist (Heartland CC).

Under Miller, Fricke was named to the all-state team in 2018 in Class 4A and Rundquist in 2019. Over the five years, 18 all-conference players played under Miller.

“Tim Miller has served as head baseball coach for the past several years and had a successful win-loss record,” Buffalo Grove Principal Jeff Wardle said. “As we do at the end of every season, our athletic administrative team met with coach Miller for an end of the season review and through that process (we) decided to move in a new direction in regards to the head coach of our boys baseball team. These are tough decisions, but ultimately Tim and our administration had different philosophies and expectations.”

Miller said he raised concerns to the school’s athletic administration more than once, including over field maintenance on Saturdays and not getting buses earlier for games. Miller claims he was told a team bus wouldn’t be available until 4 p.m. on days games were scheduled for 4:45 p.m. He stated if he wanted a bus earlier, it would cost $100 extra.

“In five years we had a winning record and I never had one player miss a game with a code violation,” Miller said. “I didn’t have a single player miss a game because of academics. I set a high standard for accountability, academics and performance. It is frustrating to think the players are all happy with me, and now their upset and so are the parents. Basically the decision came down to the athletic administration not liking being called out for what I deemed unacceptable to my program. Their response was to get me out and put someone in who won’t challenge them. How do you expect to have success if you’re not committed to the program.”

In his time as head baseball coach he worked with Buddy Baseball with special needs kids and Pack for Troops, where they packed supplies for U.S. troops.

“We represented the school really well not just on the field, but off,” Miller said. “I put a lot of time and effort into the program. We made five trips to Florida. We didn’t have a single hiccup of a problem. To me, it’s like what are they (athletic administration) looking for? They just want to make their job easier. They know they don’t have to be held accountable, like they can just get rid of coaches and there is no accountability. They give you a one year contract and can just let you go.”

Miller was disappointed because he felt his program was performing better than any other team at Buffalo Grove, especially over the last three years. He said he even worked for free during the summer season so that way they could afford to pay a third assistant coach during the spring season. Miller said he would pay the coach his summer salary to make sure the assistants were all paid.

Miller wants to continue as a baseball coach because he feels he still has a lot left to give to the sport. However, he said he will miss building relationships with players over the next few years.

Despite the split, Miller remains a physical education teacher at the school. Wardle called Miller a respected and valued member of the teaching staff at Buffalo Grove.

Wardle said they are looking for a new head coach for the program and hope to have one announced in the next couple months.

 

Miller By The Years:

2019: 21-12 (lost in regional title game)

2018: 30-6 (won regional & sectional titles, fell in super-sectionals 3-1 to Lake Park)

2017: 29-5-1 (won regional title, lost in sectional semifinals)

2016: 17-18 (lost in regional semifinals)

2015: 16-21 (lost in regional semifinals)

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One response to “Tim Miller Fired As Buffalo Grove Baseball Coach”

  1. Margaret Murphy says:

    This is not a pleasant person to deal with. He always thinks he is right and everybody else is wrong. Not the example for our future adults to emulate.

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