This longtime Galesburg assistant baseball coach will hang it up once season is over

GALESBURG — Jake Miller couldn't hide his emotions Saturday afternoon.

The longtime Galesburg High School assistant baseball coach was happy the Silver Streaks grabbed a 10-0 win in five innings over the Bulldogs of Streator in Class 3A regional championship action at Jim Sundberg Field.

But there was more to it than that for Miller, as it was the last home game in which he'll help guide Streaks.

Once Galesburg's season ends, Miller won't coach anymore. He's been at it for 17 seasons.

More: Here's how Galesburg's baseball team was able to win a regional title against Streator

"A regional championship in my final year is a storybook ending. With a season that's kind of been back-and-forth, these last couple of weeks they've really shown that they've taken what us coaches are telling them and they're applying it," Miller said after the Streaks claimed their second regional crown in the last four seasons. "As a coach, that's the best thing in the world to see. Watching these guys do what they did today is no surprise to the four or five us that are here. We know that's in them. It's been a fun ride."

The voyage isn't over yet for Miller. Galesburg (20-15) will face Washington (31-5) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Washington in a sectional semifinal.

Miller will enjoy every moment, and he has been ever since he decided to walk away from hardball.

'Nothing is pushing me out'

Miller, 41, won't coach anymore because family comes first. He wants to spend more time with his wife, Liz, and his daughters, Camdyn, 10, and Carsyn, 4.

"Nothing is pushing me out. It's the simple fact that it's time to schedule my life around my wife and the girls," Miller said. "For 17 years my wife — and the last few years my girls — have had to operate around me especially in the springtime.

"Baseball here is year round. I think the pandemic gave me a glimpse of what life is like without it, and I don't know if that didn't happen if I ever would have stopped," Miller added. "I kind of got a taste of what it's like to be home and be available as much as I want to be. That kind of got me thinking."

Miller's made Pickrel 'a better coach'

Galesburg head baseball coach Jeremy Pickrel will miss having Miller around. In May 2017, Pickrel, a 2001 GHS grad who played baseball and basketball for the Streaks, was hired to replace Arnie Gonzalez, who spent 18 seasons at the helm. Miller also assisted Gonzalez.

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"He's constantly throwing things at me to keep me thinking. He's made me a better coach, and I'd like to think that he's become a better coach with me here giving him some more freedom to coach — to have input," Pickrel said of Miller. "I think he's enjoyed his time in the last five years with me. He's been part of the program for a long time, and we're certainly going to miss him.

"I don't think he's going to be able to stay away completely but if he's able to be around at all we'll be happy," Pickrel added. "We're happy to be able to hang a regional plaque for him in his last year."

When did Miller decide to step away?

Heading into the spring, Miller didn't know the 2022 season would be his last in the dugout. He did shortly after it began.

In mid-March, Miller was unable watch Camdyn compete in the state swim meet as a member of the Knox County YMCA's team. The Krocodiles were deemed the small team state champs. 

"You know, I missed my daughter's state swim meet this year because it was opening weekend here, and at that point I decided this was going to be it," Miller said. "I have no regrets. I love Galesburg."

Streaks' diamond 'labor of love'

Miller's pretty fond of the Streaks' home diamond, too. He has spent countless hours on it during practice, as well as games and while maintaining it.

"I love this field. This field is a labor of love. I spend a lot of hours out here and that's what a lot of people don't see," Miller said. "They just see you at the games, and they don't understand the practice. They don't understand that this doesn't mow itself. It doesn't line itself. It's all of that time that I've put in and why I got so emotional today.

"It was my choice to (stop coaching) but it's still a difficult day for me but it's better that we won."

More: Three takeaways from Galesburg's victory over Dunlap in regional quarterfinals

What is Miller going to miss?

Miller, who also helped guide Streaks on the gridiron for 10 seasons, will remain in his role as a social studies teacher at GHS. Miller knows what facets he'll miss while not mentoring Galesburg baseball players.

"I'm going to miss being around the guys," Miller said. "I'm going miss sitting back there in the trees with the other coaches and just talking about baseball, talking about our families and our lives. I'm going to miss that.

"Watching kids enjoy baseball is what I'm going to miss the most," Miller added. "I'm going to miss coaching the kids."

Miller's thankful for opportunity

Admittedly, Miller won't miss portions of the offseason grind. However, he's thankful he's had an opportunity to serve as a role model.

"I appreciate Galesburg for giving me a shot at coaching," Miller said. "Coach Gonzalez brought me over here, and I appreciate him for doing that. I appreciate Coach Pickrel for letting me stick around with him for the years that he did.

"The school gets behind us out here, and I appreciate that," Miller added. "The fans here are second-to-none."

Matthew Wheaton can be reached at (309) 315-6073 or at mwheaton@register-mail.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewlwheaton

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: IHSA Baseball: After 17 seasons, Jake Miller won't help guide Streaks