MIller resigns as UMO head men's soccer coach

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 17, 2015 1:46 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Godfrey Miller firmly believed the University of Mount Olive men's soccer program was following the vision he created when he stepped onto campus 41/2 years ago.

He won't get to see the fruit of his labor.

After a meeting late last week with the UMO administration, Miller resigned as head coach.

"Godfrey was a valued member of our department," said Jeff Eisen, UMO vice president for athletics. "We appreciate all he did for the University of Mount Olive and wish him well in his future endeavors."

A national search is underway to find Miller's successor.

The Trojans won seven of their first nine games this past fall and reeled off five consecutive wins during that stretch. Eventual Division II national champion Pfeiffer ended the run and the Trojans dropped their next six games.

Injuries played a toll, also.

Despite starting a "patchwork" lineup as the season progressed, UMO finished 8-9-1 and lost to Pfeiffer in the Conference Carolinas tournament semifinals. Miller's team won six league games for the first time since 2005 and its eight victories were the most since 2012 -- Miller's first year as head coach.

The Trojans posted an overall record of 23-45-8 during Miller's tenure.

"I feel good about my accomplishments in such a short time," Miller said. "The program is on the uprise, there is no downside to what we've done. I feel like, in time, the program could have reached higher heights.

"There are kids I owe a lot that I brought into the program. We made the University of Mount Olive into a national and international school. To walk away from the international guys is emotional and tough."

Miller's first set of recruits -- a total of eight seniors -- are on schedule to graduate next May.

According to the school's online roster, the Trojans are projected to return 26 players -- including seven seniors -- next fall. A timeline to hire Miller's replacement has not been determined.

Miller will fly to California this weekend to receive his Master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University. He isn't certain what his future holds, but wouldn't discount the idea of joining the coaching ranks again.

"I really do want to believe that the program itself, not about the quality of players and teams will follow, is in better shape than when I got here," Miller said. "I feel good with the work that we've done there and what we're leaving behind."