Longwood University Athletics

Kayla Miller will enter her 15th year as assistant coach with the Longwood softball program in 2017-18 and 17th year at Longwood overall. Miller, who transitioned from assistant coach to Longwood game operations and event manager in 2012-13, rejoined the Lancer dugout prior to the 2015 season.

Miller’s primary coaching duties focus on coaching Longwood’s pitchers, while also coordinating team and recruiting travel, scheduling workouts and practices, as well as coordinating the team’s community outreach.

Since Miller’s return to the dugout prior to the 2015 season, Longwood has gone on a run that has seen the Lancers capture three straight Big South Championships, including a pair of NCAA Regional Final appearances.

She helped Longwood’s Elizabeth McCarthy become one of the most decorated pitchers in Big South history, ranking among the league’s all-time leaders in strikeouts, wins and ERA. McCarthy, a two-time Big South Pitcher of the Year and the 2017 Tournament MVP, helped the Lancers become one of the most dominant mid-major programs throughout college softball.

Millers’ instruction helped McCarthy and All-Tournament MVP Sydney Gay rank in the top three for ERA in the conference in 2016. With Miller working heavily with Lancers’ pitching staff, Longwood soared into the NCAA’s top-20 rankings for ERA, allowing an average of 2.29, the lowest in the team’s Division I history.

During her time on the diamond, Miller helped lead the Lancers to a 230-162 record over her seven years as an assistant in the Division I era. In each of those seven seasons, Longwood finished .500 or better, with six winning seasons.

Prior to her return to coaching, Miller served as the Game Operations and Event Manager for Longwood Athletics and planned special events such as the Student-Athlete Banquet, Hall of Fame Ceremony and more. She also served as the point of contact for all game day support staff and visiting teams. Miller provided instrumental leadership and coordination to the Lancer Club Open, the signature golf tournament for Longwood Athletics.

A native of Houston, Texas, Miller earned her bachelor of science degree in liberal studies and her teaching licensure with an endorsement in elementary education from Longwood in 2007.