Davis & Elkins College has named Daniel Mondragon as its next head men’s basketball coach, effective September 23, the department of athletics announced Tuesday morning.
Mondragon brings a wealth of basketball experience with him, including time as a former collegiate basketball player, program director, assistant coach and head coach at various levels. He will lead the Davis & Elkins basketball program into its first season as a member of the Mountain East Conference (MEC) in 2019-20.
“Daniel is a strong and passionate leader grounded in developing character, accountability and success in our student-athletes on-and-off the court,” director of athletics Jamie Joss said. “Coach Mondragon has played for and been mentored by two nationally-respected coaches in Steve Ridder and Daniel Pannagio. From his personal success as a player and coach at his alma mater, to helping develop DME Academy into one of the premier basketball academies in the country, I have no doubt that Daniel is exactly the right person to lead our program today and to build Senator Basketball into a program of prominence in the Mountain East Conference and the Atlantic Region.”
He arrives in Elkins after spending the past four seasons as the head coach for the elite DME Sports Academy and director of player development. Mondragon recruited both high school and post-graduate student-athletes for the athletic-based sports training academy located in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“Davis & Elkins College is fortunate to acquire Daniel Mondragon to lead our men’s basketball program,” Davis & Elkins College president Chris Wood said. “Building upon the existing solid athletic foundation, I am confident Coach Mondragon’s leadership will enable our program to reach new heights while providing an unparalleled experience for our student-athletes.”
In addition to his duties as the head coach at DME Academy, Mondragon served as a basketball trainer and elite youth training program director from 2015-19. He managed the operations, budget, scheduling and day-to-day operations of 11 youth teams. Mondragon also played a pivotal role in leading individual and group workouts, including organizing National Basketball Association (NBA) pre-draft workouts for several players during his time at DME.
“I am ecstatic to be named the new head coach of Davis & Elkins College and to lead the men’s basketball program,” Mondragon said. “We will align ourselves with the mission of the college and create a culture of excellence that D&E and the people of Elkins will be proud of. A special thanks to athletic director Jamie Joss and president Chris Wood for this opportunity.”
Mondragon becomes the 30th head coach in the history of the Davis & Elkins program after replacing Nick Patella, who resigned in late August to fill the head men’s basketball coaching vacancy at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Prior to his time at DME, Mondragon worked as an assistant coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.) from 2013 to 2016, helping to guide his alma mater to a conference championship and 35-2 record in 2014-15 during the institution’s final year as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). He dealt with nearly ever facet of the ERAU men’s basketball program as an assistant, ranging from recruiting, game planning, scouting, film study, planning workouts, directing summer camp and coordinating travel.
Mondragon also played his collegiate basketball for the Eagles from 2009-13. He became the first individual in program history, earning team captain selection as a walk-on. He was a member of three Sun Conference championships and an NAIA Tournament appearance in 2013. A two-year team captain, he averaged 9.0 points/game and 4.9 assists/game as a senior. The Eagles notched an impressive 102-34 (.750) mark over his career.
He graduated from Embry-Riddle in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in human factors psychology and added his master’s degree in leadership from ERAU.
