Calabar High is on the hunt for a new football head coach, with Jeremy Miller confirming to the Jamaica Observer that his one-year contract was not renewed.

Miller told the Observer he was mystified by the school’s decision.

“I am puzzled by the decision, seeing that with the exception of 2017 under Coach Simms, this is one of Calabar’s most successful seasons since Wagga Hunt,” he said.

“But the writing was on the wall from the outset, when I was only given a one year contract, now knowing after the fact that the expectation was I had to win the Manning Cup in order to obtain an extension,” he explained.

Miller took over from Andrew Price for the 2025 season after Price had led them to the second round for the first time in many years. But his three year contact was not extended and Miller was elevated from the under-16 ranks.

The last time Calabar won any football trophy was in 2019 when Miller led the under-16s to glory. What’s more, Miller in his lone season at the helm of the under-19s propelled Calabar into the quarterfinals of both the Manning and Walker Cups, the first time that has happened since 2017.

“I do however want to thank the principal for going out on a limb and giving me the opportunity. She afforded me the platform and I believe I was able to display what I am capable of producing,” said Miller, the son of clergyman Reverend Al Miller, known as the Reggae Boyz pastor on that historic 1998 World Cup qualification journey.

“Personally, I’m satisfied with my accomplishments this season and the manner in which I went about achieving them,” he added.

Efforts to get a comment from principal of Calabar Sian Wilson proved futile.

Miller, a past student of Wolmer’s Boys’ School, started coaching in 2003 in Chicago, having had a stint with Chicago Fire Youth Academy, and was assistant coach at the college he attended – Judson University.

He returned to Jamaica and had a coaching stint as assistant at Wolmer’s between 2016 and 2018, and led Cavalier’s under-15 and under-17 teams to KSAFA titles in 2017 before being elevated to assistant to the Cavalier senior team under Rudolph Speid.

He then moved on to be head coach of Constant Spring FC before moving to Barbican FC where he won the KSAFA Super League and just missed qualification to the Jamaica Premier League.

Miller had brought back the football vibes and belief at Calabar especially after battling to a 2-2 draw with Kingston College, which knocked the champions out of the Manning Cup and advanced to the quarterfinal.

But in a twist of faith, word on the streets is that Calabar is looking at bringing in the head coach of Kingston College Vassell Reynolds who himself saw his contract not renewed after leading the Purples to Manning Cup and Olivier Shield glory in 2024.

Meanwhile, Price, who was replaced by Miller at Calabar, is now the technical director at St George’s College.

With his star rising in the coaching ranks, Miller is expected to be back at the head of a football programme very soon as schools will be scouting for talent on the sidelines.