EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette baseball head coach A.J. Miller '11 has signed a contract extension that will keep him as the Leopards' head coach through the 2029 school year.
In the spring, Miller will begin his fourth season as the head coach of the Maroon and White. He is coming off a 2025 campaign in which five Leopards earned All-Patriot league recognition, including Michael Zarillo who set a new Lafayette career home run record (24).
"As an alum, A.J. has a keen knowledge of what it takes to build and maintain a winning baseball program here at Lafayette," said Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman. "He has already engaged our alumni and parent groups and he and his program have shown the promise of a bright future."
In his first year at the helm, Miller guided the Leopards to the Patriot League Tournament, with Zarrillo, Pete Ciuffreda and Alex Walsh all being selected to the All-Patriot League First Team. In that initial campaign, Ciuffreda broke Lafayette's single-season home run record, blasting 13 home runs.
"Baseball is our oldest athletic team at Lafayette, boasting a history of success that includes MLB Players, College World Series appearances and conference titles. With this extension, we have ensured that we will continue to have a strong leader with excellent coaching credentials in the dugout at Kamine Stadium," said Senior Assoc. A.D. Andrew Foster, who oversees baseball.
"I am very thankful and honored to continue to lead the Lafayette baseball program. The unwavering support, passion and shared vision from the players, families, staff and alumni are truly what makes Lafayette so special," Miller said. "Additionally, thank you to President Hurd, Sherryta Freeman, Andrew Foster and our athletic administration team for allowing me to lead with passion and purpose, but most importantly continue to call Lafayette home. The program is made up of, and surrounded by, the very best and brightest of people, and the very best version of the program is yet to come! RDP."
Miller has coached 10 All-Patriot League student-athletes, five Academic All-Patriot League honorees and 75 Patriot league Academic Honor Roll selections during his tenure.
During his playing career, Miller was a three-year starting catcher for the Leopards and the Patriot League Player of the year in his senior season when he hit for a .385 average with 52 RBIs and a .705 slugging percentage. He also garnered CollegeBaseballInsider.com Honorable Mention All-America status and a spot on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List. Miller was a .313 career hitter and is second in career home runs at Lafayette (22).
