2008 Coaches

Looking to return to the form that the baseball team displayed in 2006, when the Beavers  set numerous offensive records and narrowly missed qualifying for the HCAC post-season tournament, fifth year head coach James Grandey is confident that the Beavers are moving in the right direction. “We have worked extremely hard as a program during the past four years,” explained Coach Grandey. “We have a strong foundation for the future. Through continued hard work and improvement, we will be able to take the next step.”

In Grandey's third year at the helm, the Beavers won 17 games, only one off the school record of 18 which was last accomplished in 1988.

Grandey’s first four seasons have been full of highs and lows, including the March 2, 2007, bus accident that claimed the lives of five of his players and left many others sidelined with serious injuries.

The Beavers have created a reputation as one of the HCAC's top offensive teams under Coach Grandey. His squads have broken school single season records in hits, doubles, home runs, total bases and runs.

Before coming to Bluffton, Grandey served as a graduate assistant on the Muskingum College baseball and football coaching staff as he worked towards his master’s degree.

Grandey earned a bachelor and master’s degree from Muskingum College in 1999 and 2002, respectively, and was a standout student-athlete while playing for the Muskies. As a senior, he earned first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors in both football and baseball and was named first team All-Mideast Region in baseball, as well. Grandey’s academic career was just as impressive, as he earned Academic All-OAC honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and was named first team CoSIDA Academic All-American in baseball as a senior.

Grandey resides in Bluffton with his wife, Jessica, and one-year-old daughter, Ayla Marie. 

Todd Miller is entering his second season as the graduate assistant coach for the Bluffton University baseball team. A native of Franklin, Indiana, Miller graduated from Franklin Community High School in 2002. At Franklin he played football, basketball, and baseball, earning honors in each.

Following high school, he attended Hanover College, where he graduated with a degree in communication in the spring of 2006. While at Hanover, he played both football and baseball. A four-year varsity member and three-year starter, Miller earned All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honors in football. Miller was also a three-year starter for the Panthers at third base, earning All-HCAC honors on the diamond for three seasons. As a team captain, he was named MVP following his senior year.

Along with his coaching duties, Miller is taking classes in pursuit of a master's in business administration. He currently resides in Bluffton.