Clyde Miller was the head coach of the Gardner-Webb baseball program for thirteen seasons, from 1990 through the 2002 season. He also served as an Assistant Director of Athletics until his passing in 2005.
During his time with the Diamond ‘Dogs, Miller won a school-record 326 victories – passing longtime GWU coach Jerry Bryson on March 16, 2002 with a win over Lipscomb University.
During his time as head coach, Miller had a positive and profound effect on the lives of many on and off the diamond, and was well known for his knowledge of the game. Overall, Miller spent 32 seasons as a collegiate head coach, finding success at every stop along the way. The Bulloch County, Ga., native finished with an impressive 835 career victories, picking up career win No. 800 on April 28, 2001 at home on Varsity Field against PresbyterianCollege.
Miller, a bright mind with a penchant for developing sound pitchers, coached three of the GWU leaders in career mound wins in school history – with Joey Siak, Abe Gonzalez and Brook Collins each flourishing during their time inBoiling Springs. Right-hander Jeff Long, who was recruited by Miller out of Smyrna, Ga., recently completed his first season of professional baseball with the Atlanta Braves organization after being drafted in the 12th round of the 2004 MLBDraft. Siak also pitches professionally in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Miller coached Gardner-Webb to its most successful season on the diamond in 2000, leading the ‘Dogs to a school-record 44 victories, an NCAASoutheast Region title and a trip to the NCAADivision IIWorld Series in Montgomery, Ala. That season, Miller was named South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year and – in 2001 – was given the N.C. Baseball Coaches’ Association Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his contributions to the sport of baseball.
Miller, who coached at South Atlantic Conference member Newberry College prior to joining the Gardner-Webb program, was inducted into the SACHall of Fame in 2003. Gardner-Webb retired Miller’s Jersey No. 27 in a ceremony on May 5, 2002.
Prior to beginning his career in coaching, Miller enjoyed tremendous success as a collegiate player. During his time as a pitcher at Georgia Southern University, the former Southeast Bulloch (Ga.)High standout forged an 18-7 career record with 18 saves and a 13-game consecutive winning streak to his credit.
Miller captained the Eagles to the 1962 NAIACollege World Series title and was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990. Miller noted facing St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall of Famer Lou Brock (Southern U.) in the NAIA College World Series as one of his favorite collegiate moments. He and his Georgia Southern teammates were inducted into the GSU Hall of Fame in 1998 as a group – marking the first time that a Georgia Southern team had been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
