Former assistant succeeds Milich
By: Bob Nuse
Montgomery High School has a new baseball coach this year. But it might be hard to tell the difference between the new and the old.
Pete Mueller, an assistant for the past four years under Zoran Milich, has moved up a notch from the junior varsity to the varsity. In doing so, the Cougars get a new coach who will bring with him many of the same philosophies as their old coach.
"As far as coaching style goes, it will be very similar," said Mueller, a Ridge High graduate. "I don’t know if anyone is ever fully prepared when they step up to being a head coach for the first time, but I think I’m as prepared as a coach can be. I’m getting used to the differences that come with being a head coach, like the administrative things and the paperwork."
"It really does help having been here the last four years. Walking in as the new guy is never easy. The last four years have given the kids and the parents an idea of what I’m about. Zoran and I share a lot of the same philosophies. There hasn’t been a lot different for the kids and I think that’s helped with the transition."
Ever since the end of his playing career, Mueller has thought about coaching. Over the last four years he’s learned a great deal from Milich, and now he’d like to take what he’s learned and apply it as a head coach.
"The four years with Zoran have gone by quickly," Mueller said. "But I think I needed those years to develop as a coach and learn. The program has improved each year. I think when Zoran took over, the program was a little bit down, partly because we were a Group I school.
"When Zoran came in he got his hands into the younger grades and the Babe Ruth and Little League programs. We started doing clinics. I think baseball here has grown and become much more popular. And we’ve noticed the caliber of play getting better."
And even with the coaching change, Mueller expects most things to remain the same at Montgomery.
"I’ve coached with Zoran the last four years and moved up a notch when he decided to step down," said Mueller, who played at the collegiate level at Montclair State and West Chester. "When I was hired originally, it was with the understanding that when he was done, I would fill in the spot. Prior to last season, we knew it would be his last year and I started to prepare, even then, for taking over this year."
Mueller has a lot of advantages that other new coaches don’t bring with them. Having been Milich’s top aid the last four years, he knows the opponents and he knows those inside the program as well.
"Over the last four years I’ve gotten to know the other coaches from playing against them and from some of the scouting we’ve done," Mueller said. "We have great kids that just love to be on the field. I expect a lot from them and I think they know that. The only way to be successful is to work hard. And these kids are willing to work hard."
Working hard is something the Cougars got used to under Milich. And with Mueller taking over, that same trend should continue.
"It’s different being the head coach," Mueller said. "I’m loving it right now. I’ve wanted this for a long time. I think once you stop playing, you want to still be involved in the game and the next logical step is to get into coaching. So in some respects, I’ve been waiting a long time for this."
And now that his time has come, Mueller feels the wait has been worth it.
"Working with Zoran was a great experience," he said. "And I think it helps that the kids already know me and the parents already know me. I can’t wait for the games to get going."