Just a year removed from Magruder's first appearance in the state football playoffs in 18 years, head coach Doug Miller handed in his resignation Thursday.

Miller's departure had been rumored since the end of the season, but he officially notified principal Leroy Evans of his resignation last week. Classified as an "emergency" coach because he is not a full-time employee of Montgomery County Public Schools, Miller's position could have been made available upon the request of anyone working in the building at any time over the course of his four seasons.

In a copy of his resignation letter obtained by The Gazette, Miller said:

"Because of my status as an emergency coach working outside the scope of MCPS and because the economy is in drastic decline, I must focus all of my time and energy on my commercial real estate business, and obviously, take care of my family."

Miller compiled a record of 21-20 and four seasons at his alma mater. In 2007, the Colonels went 6-4 during the regular season and qualified for the 4A West Region playoffs, their first postseason berth since reaching the 1989 state final.

The program won two state titles under former coach Roy Lester, in 1984 and '86. The Colonels went 4-6 this past fall.

Before coming to Magruder, Miller spent four seasons as the head coach at Wootton, compiling a record of 13-25 at the Rockville school. He said he would consider an assistant coaching position at another school, but will not seek another head job.

Head coaching vacancies currently exist at county powers Northwest and Sherwood, as well as Wheaton, where Miller served as an assistant to Lee Branthover on the Knights' 1996 state title team.

Magruder athletics director Karl Heimbach said he is accepting resumes through Feb. 6, at which time he will forward the list of candidates to Evans.

"The principal will determine which candidates he wants to interview," Heimbach said.