*Originally published on the Moose Jaw Millers website.

The Moose Jaw Millers Express Board have announced changes to their coaching staff ahead of the 2019 Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season. Tanner Spencer has been hired as the new Head Coach for the Millers replacing Michael Hunt who resigned earlier this month.

“Michael came to Moose Jaw a decade ago and became not only a big part of our organization but a part of our community. He planted deep roots in our city, he met his wife in Moose Jaw, both of his children were born in Moose Jaw, and he’s a full-time teacher. We 100% respect and understand Michael’s decision to step back so that he can spend more time with his family,” said Millers General Manager Cory Olafson.

“Michael bled black and yellow every day over his 10 years with the organization. We appreciate all that he’s done for the Millers and would like to thank him for all of his hard work. We wish him all the best in the future,” Olafson added.

Hunt spent 10 seasons with the Millers and finished with a 202-251 overall record and led the team to the playoffs in eight out of his ten years.

“Tanner has been involved with the Millers for five years now, three as a player and the last two as an assistant coach. We have been thoroughly impressed with what Tanner has brought to our organization,” said Olafson on the hiring of Tanner Spencer.

“Tanner is currently coaching at the NCAA level and brings a high-level of knowledge and expertise to the table, as well as excellent recruiting skills. We are very happy to announce that Tanner has accepted the head coaching position for the 2019 season and we’re looking forward to next summer.”

Spencer, a native of Craik, Sask., served as the Millers pitching coach the last two years. He played for the Millers from 2014 to 2016, during that time he attended Colby Community College and the University of Nebraska-Kearney and graduated from UNK with a Bachelors in Exercise Science. He is currently the pitching coach at Minot State University where he is finishing his masters in sports management.

In 2018 he was UNK’s pitching coach and under his guidance the pitching staff reduced their earned run average by nearly two runs from the previous year and picked up 403 strikeouts which shattered the school record for strikeouts in a season.