CROOKSTON, Minn. - University of Minnesota Crookston football coach Paul Miller announced Monday that he is taking a leave of absence from the football program, effective immediately, due to health concerns.
The 2012 season was Miller's first as the Golden Eagles' head coach.
Mike Fritze, who joined the staff in January as the team's defensive coordinator, will take over as interim head coach.
"Over an extended period of time since starting my job here at UMC I have experienced and continue to deal with a number of interrelated medical problems," said Miller. "It has been recommended to me by several doctors that I need to confront these issues, and not shove them to the background.
"This decision is very difficult due to my love for what I do and the people I have the good fortune of being connected with here at UMC. However, it is a decision in the big picture of life made with the belief that it is the correct step to take for myself and my family."
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Miller's UMC team was 2-9 in 2012, the program's best record in four seasons. The Golden Eagles had one of the most prolific offensive seasons in the program's history as they set many career and season marks for passing. UMC also boasted one of the program's all-time leading rushers last season in Richard Haley.
"I want to thank Coach Miller for his tireless dedication to the football program. We have made great strides under his leadership, and my thoughts are with him and his family," said Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics at the U of M Crookston.
"I have great confidence in Mike Fritze's ability to step in and continue to move the football program forward. Coach Fritze is an accomplished coach, and I believe he is the right fit for the program at this time."
Fritze and Miller have a 32-year coaching relationship that dates back to when Fritze started as an assistant coach under Miller in 1981 at Apple Valley High School.
Fritze worked 14 seasons under Miller at Apple Valley High School and was a part of Miller's state championship teams in 1986 and 1993. Fritze took over the Apple Valley football program and held the position the past 18 seasons.
