Russ Milligan, who led Center Grove softball to five state championships and more than 700 victories, is stepping down after 27 seasons coaching the Trojans, according to athletic director Jon Zwitt.
“He felt that after 27 years, it was time to pass the torch,” Zwitt said via text message on Tuesday afternoon.
Milligan wound up winning 741 games against just 95 losses, an incredible .886 winning percentage, and the Trojans claimed state titles in 1995, 1998, 2003, 2009 and 2015.
His last two teams won regional crowns, with this year’s squad advancing to the Class 4A semistate final before falling to Decatur Central.
After the season, Milligan made one final coaching appearance in the state all-star games in Bloomington. That gave him another opportunity to coach All-American Jordyn Rudd, a Northwestern recruit and the last of several Division I college players to come out of the Trojans’ program under Milligan.
Whoever succeeds Milligan at Center Grove won’t be hurting for talent. The Trojans return another All-America candidate in pitcher Abby Herbst, along with a two-time All-County infielder in Piper Belden.Â
“(Milligan) wanted to leave when the cupboard was fairly full,” Zwitt said. “We should be a contender again next year.”
Milligan will remain at Center Grove High School teaching chemistry in the science department.
