 By this stage Miller was approaching veteran status and, after two seasons of First Division consolidation with Falkirk, he left Brockville Park in 1972 to become manager of recently relegated Dunfermline Athletic in the summer of 1972.Miller was able to lead the side to promotion in his first season in charge, although Clyde took the 1972–73 Second Division title.Miller's first managerial season in the top flight witnessed Dunfermline avoid relegation on goal difference, however it was largely overshadowed by the death of left-back John Lunn, at only 31 years of age.