Millers promote Gonzalez after former head coach gets professional opportunity

The Moose Jaw Miller Express have named Michael Gonzalez head coach for the upcoming 2026 season. (Source: Moose Jaw Miller Express)

The Moose Jaw Miller Express have named former assistant coach Michael Gonzalez their new bench boss for the upcoming Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season.

It comes just days after former head coach Eric Marriott left the club to pursue a professional baseball opportunity.

“Becoming the head coach of the Millers has been a dream of mine since I became a part of the organization in 2022,” Gonzalez said in a media release Monday. “Being able to maintain what Marriott and I built means a lot to me.”

Gonzalez has served with the Miller Express coaching staff for the past five years, serving as both assistant coach and first base coach.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“We are thrilled to elevate Michael into the head coach role,” said the Miller Express in a media release. “His commitment to our athletes, his knowledge of the game, and his passion for the community make him the perfect fit to lead the Miller Express into the 2026 season.”

In addition to naming Gonzalez as head coach, the Miller Express also announced Geoff Freeborn will be the team’s pitching coach.

Freeborn brings a wealth of professional playing and coaching experience and will be a tremendous asset to the club’s pitching development.

Marriott heads east

On Friday, Moose Jaw announced Marriott had taken a job with the Frontier League’s Ottawa Titans.

“We are incredibly proud of Eric and thrilled to see him take this exciting next step in his coaching career,” the organization said. “His growth, integrity, and work ethic have been evident from day one, and while we will miss his presence in Moose Jaw, we are grateful for everything he brought to our program. The entire Miller Express family wishes him nothing but success in this new professional opportunity.”

In four season as head coach, Marriott had a record of 124-99, leading the Express to four playoff appearances and two Eastern Conference Championships. Moose Jaw lost both league finals it appeared in.

In 2025, the Millers were defeated by a record-breaking Saskatoon Berries in the division semi-finals, coming up one strike short in Game 3.

“Thank you to everyone in the Millers organization who believed in me as a player, coach, and most importantly as a person,” Marriott added. “The community of Moose Jaw has helped raise me and will always be my second home.”

The 2026 WCBL season is set to begin May 28 when Moose Jaw travels to Swift Current to battle the 57’s.