By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
Larry Miller, 33, is in his ninth season as the Rams’ head softball coach.
Miller said he played baseball growing up, but stopped after he graduated high school. “I transitioned into administration and sports management,” he said.
Miller said he began coaching during his senior year at SUNY Cortland while earning his bachelor’s degree in sports management.
During his first season coaching at SUNY Cortland, the team finished fourth in the country in Division III.
Miller said, “I was super fortunate to start coaching under one of the most legendary coaches in Division III softball - Julie Lenhart.
“She had this culture and environment of being able to have a fun, inclusive, positive atmosphere, but still playing and pushing for a championship level experience,” Miller added.
Miller grew up in the New York City area and went to college in Cortland, New York. He said he came to FSU and was hired as the first full-time coach in the program's history.
Miller said, “I saw the opportunity to come in and make a mark and have an impact and bring the program from where it was to where it is now.”
Miller said FSU gives students a “traditional New England college experience in a beautiful campus.”
He added, “It's definitely a great place - being able to surround yourself with good people from our athletic staff to our campus administration.”
Miller said his favorite part about coaching is the relationships with his athletes. “The ultimate thing is, obviously, the relationships and the impacts that us as coaches are able to have on the student athletes that we work with, both in the short term and in the long term.
“I'd be lying to you if I didn't say that I don’t love competing and winning and being able to be a part of some special championship runs here in the last few years - that's definitely fun,” Miller added.
Miller said one of his favorite experiences as a coach came in 2019 when the Rams’ softball team traveled to SUNY Cortland for regionals.
Miller said, “I got to coach against my mentor in what was her final season.
“That was personally one of those moments I'll never forget,” he added.
Miller works alongside his assistant coaches, Rachel Desrochers and Lisa Strom. Desrochers is an FSU alumni and was a two-year starter during Miller’s first two seasons at FSU.
Miller said, “I'm really fortunate to have those two individuals to help me provide the best experience we can for our student athletes.”
Miller said his favorite athletes growing up were now retired professional baseball players Paul O'Neill and Derek Jeter and he added, “I will still always be a New York Yankees fan.”
Miller said O'Neill’s antics as a “fiery competitor” impacted the way he looked at baseball and translated it to softball.
Miller said Jeter “always played the game with the utmost respect.
“That's something that I really try to instill in our staff and in our athletes,” he said.
Miller said, “Overall, it's surrounding yourself with good people - from our athletic administration, to our staff, to our coaching staff, to our student athletes, I’m fortunate to come to work every day.”