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COACH ALDRIDGE LEAVING PUMAS

DATE: Friday, June 1, 2007
BYLINE: By ERIC BRANCH
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Dan Aldridge, one of the top distance runners and track coaches in Empire history, is retiring from Maria
Carrillo High after 10 years to pursue a career in Masters running.
Aldridge, 50, a state finalist at Petaluma High and a two-time Division II national champion at Cal Poly-
San Luis Obispo, ran professionally for Nike from 1981-85.
He then embarked on a successful coaching career that included stops as a head coach at Sonoma State (1985-90)
and Maria Carrillo (1998-07). He also was an assistant at Santa Rosa High from 1993-97, where he guided distance-
running legend Julia Stamps. But after helping others reach their running goals, Aldridge is eager to attain
some of his own.
The all-time Empire record holder in the 800 meters (1:49.21), a mark he set 32 years ago, Aldridge is
eyeing world age-group records. Among them is the 800-meter world record for men 50-54 (1:58.65), a standard
set in 2000 by American Nolan Shaheed.
The 5-foot-10 Aldridge has dropped 20 pounds since August, dipping down to 160. He ran at the National
Masters Indoor Championships in Boston in March.
Call it an early jump on his second running career.
``A lot of guys have a mid-life crisis and buy fancy cars and fancy toys,'' Aldridge said. ``I'm going to
see how fast I can run.''
Aldridge is also leaving his job as a physical education teacher at Spring Creek Elementary to focus on
running. He plans to devote several years to the sport and hasn't ruled out an eventual return to coaching.
At Carrillo, he will be leaving quite a legacy.
The Pumas boys' and girls' cross-country teams have both won four consecutive North Bay League titles and
56 straight league meets. The girls' team has also finished among the top 10 in the state four of the past
six years, including second in 2004.
Among Carrillo's alumni under Aldridge's tenure are at least 16 athletes who have competed in college, a
list that includes his daughter, Jenny, a 2000 state champion in the 1,600 meters, and Jake Arnold, the
defending NCAA decathlon champion at the University of Arizona.
While Aldrdige is famed for his intensity as a competitor, he has been successful using a lighter touch
as a coach.
He is better known for inventing Crazy Relay Days than for his brutal workouts.
``He's always kept it fun for the kids,'' said Santa Rosa coach Doug Courtemarche, who Aldridge worked
under as an assistant.
``He has an innate sense, especially for dedicated kids, of what they need to get better. He's able to
communicate with them in a direct but very fun way.''
It was a gift Aldridge had early in his coaching career.
In 1986, his first season as the track coach at Sonoma State, Aldridge called for a February practice on
the track despite a severe rainstorm that featured howling winds.
The demand was met by grumbling from his runners, who sloshed to practice to find their coach reclining on
a beach chair in the middle of the track.
Aldridge had his shirt off, beach shorts on, a towel by his side and was pretending to soak up some rays.
Colin Davidson, a Sonoma State runner under Aldridge who later coached with him for two years at Carrillo,
says it was a transcendent moment for the team.
``I knew he was a great athlete, but what I saw in Danny right there was that he had what it takes to be a
great coach,'' Davidson said.
``Everyone stopped whining and complaining after that. We got the message and got to work.''
Aldridge's first coaching job actually came immediately after college when Cal Poly coach Steve Miller
left for Kansas State in 1981 shortly before the start of the season.
Suddenly without a coach, the school hired Aldridge and a former teammate to lead the Mustangs' cross
country team.
They offered the fresh-out-of-school athletes free room and board, but no salary.
It wasn't a bad deal. Cal Poly finished fourth in the nation.
More than a quarter-century later, Aldridge is embarking on another unpaid journey.
And given his track record, success in his latest running career wouldn't be surprising.

ENHANCER: root

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