SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator Ron Miller has resigned after accepting the position of head football coach at West York High School, replacing longtime head coach Terry Bupp who retired after 24 seasons with the Bulldogs.

Miller, a 1993 graduate of Susquehanna, stepped down after eight seasons on the coaching staff including the last seven as offensive coordinator. During his tenure, the Crusaders averaged 364 yards per game of total offense highlighted by the 2003 season when Susquehanna set a program record by averaging 410.8 yards per game.

Among the offensive standouts for the Crusaders during his tenure were All-American offensive lineman Randy Zook (1997-00), quarterback Mike Bowman (1999-02), who broke every Susquehanna career passing record, and split end Mark Bartosic (2000-03), who ranks among the NCAA Division III career leaders in catches, yards and touchdowns.

"While this is a terrific professional opportunity for Ron and his family, we will undoubtedly never be able to replace his unrivaled passion for Susquehanna football," said director of athletics Pam Samuelson. "Ron will always be a part of Crusader football, and the entire Susquehanna athletics family gives him our best wishes on this next step in what will surely be a successful head coaching career."

"I've been fortunate to have coached Ron as a player and coached with him on the sidelines, and his departure is going to leave a void in more ways than one," said head coach Steve Briggs. "But at the same time this is a great professional opportunity for him and I know he is more than qualified to accept the challenge of a head-coaching position."

As a player, Miller was first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection at offensive guard as both a junior and senior at Susquehanna. During his final two years, he helped the Crusaders record two of their most successful seasons — going 11-2 and making the NCAA semifinals in 1991, and 9-1 while just missing the playoffs in 1992. A four-year letterwinner and senior captain, he earned his bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1993.

After graduation, Miller also served as an assistant coach for one year at both Wagner (N.Y.) College and Emporia State (Kan.) University, coaching the defensive line at Wagner and wide receivers at Emporia State . He went to Wilkes in 1995 and coached the quarterbacks and receivers for three years before returning to Susquehanna. Miller earned a master's degree in education from Bucknell.

Miller, who served as Susquehanna's head men's lacrosse coach from 2001 through 2004, will relocate to the York area with his wife, Jennifer and their daughter, Aspen . A national search for Miller's successor will begin immediately.