Former Reds Manager Miley To Coach Franklin County HS

By Mike Perleberg Former Cincinnati Reds manager Dave Miley has signed a letter of intent to become the new varsity head baseball coach at Franklin County High School. Photo by Getty Images/New York Daily News Archives. (Brookville, Ind.) – Dave Miley has coached at the highest level of baseball, but the former Cincinnati Reds skipper will soon bring his experience and knowledge to the high school level in southeast Indiana. Miley, 54, is set to be named the new varsity head coach of the Franklin County High School Wildcats baseball team, the Brookville American-Democrat reports. A letter of intent has been signed and Miley’s hiring is pending approval in August by the Franklin County Community Schools Board of Trustees. Miley, whose wife is from the area, will fill the role vacated by longtime Wildcats coach Tony Windle, who had been head coach since 2004. According to the newspaper, Miley expressed interest in the job to Franklin County High School athletic director Todd Sacksteder when he heard of Windle’s departure. “I've been fortunate to be around and coach a lot of good players,” Miley told the paper. “I plan on having guys from the Reds and other organizations come and speak to our players.” Windle facilitated by offering support to Miley. The Tampa, Florida native was the field manager for the big league Reds from 2003 until 2005, managing the likes of Ken Griffey, Jr., Sean Casey, and Adam Dunn. The Reds went 125-164 in his stead. His most recent managing gig was for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the AAA affiliate in the New York Yankees organization. For the SWB Yankees, Miley won International League Manager of the Year in 2007 and 2012. Miley was drafted as a player by the Cincinnati organization in 1980 and spent eight seasons in the minors, but never played in the majors. It’s a good situation that Miley is entering as FCHS coach. The Wildcats were Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference champions in the 2016 season, going 19-5 (12-2 EIAC). They graduated eight seniors including top hitter Kannon Sams (.414 batting average) and starting pitcher Sam Krider (6-0 in EIAC play). Miley wouldn't be the first big leaguer to go on to coach a high school team. Many have done it including Craig Biggio, David Wells, and Wade Boggs.