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Athletic Director

“In the end, it’s about the teaching, and what I always loved about coaching was the practices. Not the games, not the tournaments, not the alumni stuff. But teaching the players during practice was what coaching was all about to me.” John Wooden


Dan Ellington

805-925-2567, ext. 3540
dellington@smjuhsd.org

 

BIO

Before becoming the Athletic Director at Santa Maria High School, I spent 35 years coaching high school sports. Although I’m best known for my accomplishments as a Head Football Coach, I have also coached baseball and track and field.

I grew up in the Santa Maria community and graduated from Righetti High School in 1982. After high school, I served six years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Safeguard, stationed in Pearl Harbor. While in the Navy, I worked as a Radioman and also served as the ship’s Athletic Petty Officer — a sign of things to come.

After my military service, I began my coaching career at Righetti High School before moving to the Bay Area to coach at Concord High School. I eventually returned home to Santa Maria, where I married my beautiful wife, Shannon. We are a God-loving family blessed with three adult children and three grandchildren.

After earning my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I worked as an Instructional Aide in Special Education and later became a Special Education Teacher. During these years, I coached at Pioneer Valley High School and became Head Football Coach, leading a successful program. Later, I brought my experience and vision to Santa Maria High School, where, with the support of my coaching staff, we built a competitive football program and reached a CIF Championship game.

While I’m proud of my coaching achievements, my true strength lies in building meaningful relationships and demonstrating unwavering dedication to our student-athletes. The opportunity to oversee our athletic program at Santa Maria High School is truly a blessing.

 

EDUCATION

  • National University-La Jolla, California
  • Enrolled in Master of Science in Special Education Level I Mild/Mod Ed Spec Credential - 2010
  • University of Phoenix-Phoenix, Arizona
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Honors – July 2007 – Aug 2009
  • Palomar College-San Marcos. California
  • Information Processing and Computer Operations Certification toward job skill enhancement - 1997-1998
  • Allan Hancock College-Santa Maria, California
  • Liberal Arts Major - 1993-1996 

 

EXPERIENCE

  • Athletic Director (2021)
  • Mild - Moderate Special Education Teacher - (2015 - 2021)
  • Instructional Aide assistant – Special Education Department (2007-2014)
  • Communications Specialist-United States Navy (1984-1988)