PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Jessica Miller, who served as the Cardinals' assistant coach for the last three seasons, has been named the head softball coach at Plattsburgh State, as announced Friday by Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Mike Howard.
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome Jess to this new role as the Head Coach," Howard said,  "Her experience both as an outstanding player in the SUNYAC and as an assistant coach with our program over the past few years positions her very well to lead Cardinal Softball to continued success in the coming years."
 
From 2022-2024, Miller has primarily worked with the hitters at Plattsburgh, helping to mentor five position players to six All-State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) honors in three seasons. During that time, the team also made the SUNYAC Tournament in both 2022 and 2024. She also helped the team to their best batting average in program history in 2023, coaching a unit that hit .326 over 34 games. That season, the Cardinals had four hitters each All-Conference honors, with Rebecca Diller and Claire Palmer earning first-team selections, and Kristen Langdon and Kristina Maggiacomo each earning second team plaudits. Langdon, who was also a 2022 All-SUNYAC selection, finished third all-time in batting average under Miller's direction. Palmer also finished fourth in batting average in program history, playing all three seasons of her career under Miller's tutelage.

In addition to Miller being named head coach, Brad Marshall, who last coached with the team in 2023, will return to the staff as an assistant for the upcoming year.

Miller graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2021, where she played for four seasons for the Red Dragon Softball team. In her senior season, Miller hit .286, slugged two homers, drove in 19 runs, and had 26 hits over 30 games, winning the SUNYAC championship in 2019.

Miller also has experience training players privately, working with athletes to give them a personalized plan to help them reach their goals in the areas of hitting and infield and outfield defense.

"I am honored and enthusiastic about stepping into the role of head coach," Miller said, "I am eager to build upon our team's successes, foster a culture of growth and excellence, and lead our athletes to achieve their full potential. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the talented athletes and dedicated staff at Plattsburgh State. 

Miller earned her degree in physical education from Cortland in 2021 and is currently working towards her master's degree in fitness and wellness leadership at Plattsburgh.