The Moose Jaw Miller Express have brought in Eric Marriott to be their new head coach for the 2021 season.

Marriott played two seasons with the club in 2018-2019 and would have been an assistant with the club this season.

The Niagara Falls, Ont. native has a degree in sports and fitness management and played nearly every game in centrefield for his two seasons with the Millers. He was a Western Canadian Baseball League gold glove winner in those two seasons and won the team’s fan favourite award in 2018, and had been hired as an assistant for 2020 before things were cancelled due to the pandemic.

"It's his baby, he's going to be the on-field boss," said Miller Express general manager Cory Olafson. "I'll still be out there... on the field, but he's going to be head coaching. He's doing the lion's share of the recruiting. The roster (for 2021) is pretty much full. He's doing a heck of a job. He's really taken it to heart and doing a really good job with this thing."

Olafson said the board is excited to have the Niagara Falls-born Marriott as the manager.

"He's familiar with the program... and it always helps when you're bringing in a guy who is familiar with the league and the talent level, but I think what excites us the most is Eric's excitement. Eric is really excited to take on this role."

Olafson said that 2019 head coach Rich Sorenson would not return due to family circumstances.