The most successful coach to take charge of Rotherham United in recent seasons is Ronnie Moore, a former player of the club. His first season ended in a mid table finish and his second in a playoff defeat, but it was third time lucky in 1999-2000 when Rotherham finished as Division Three runners-up and gained promotion to Division Two. They were favourites to be relegated in 2000-01, but surprised all the observers by finishing runners-up in Division Two and gaining a second successive promotion. During this highly successful campaign, Rotherham also surprised critics by beating Premiership side Southampton in the FA Cup.

Rotherham stayed in Division One (later renamed the Football League Championship) for four seasons, their most successful of which was the 2002/03 campaign.