OCEANSIDE — In football terms, Dave Barrett was a triple threat.

In 48 years at Oceanside High School, Barrett served as the head baseball coach, defensive coordinator on two state champion football teams and athletic director.

“And don’t forget, he taught English,” said former Oceanside football coach John Carroll. “Dave was a first-class baseball coach, an outstanding defensive coordinator, and he ran the athletic department without a flaw. Beyond that, he’s a first-class guy. He was very adaptable, had no ego. It was always about we, not me, for Dave.”

Barrett will be inducted into the San Diego High School Coaching Legends Hall of Fame on Oct. 26 at the Coronado Marriott. He’ll be joined in the 2025 incudction class by Alex Estrada, Tony Leon, Pat Moramarco, Mart Nellis, Stephanie Niebla and Bill Vice as well as Meritorious winners Robin Nixon, Ken Putnam and Tom Shaw. The Legends Hall of Fame banquet is open to the public. Tickets are $100 and are available by emailing Gary MacDonald at coachgmac@cox.net.

Barrett was Oceanside’s baseball coach from 1978 to 2024, compiling a 656-635-14 record. He spent 28 years as an assistant football coach, 16 as the Pirates’ defensive coordinator. In those 16 seasons, Oceanside won 13 CIF championships and captured state crowns in 2007 and 2009.

In retirement, Barrett is still a triple threat. He’s the self-proclaimed “granddad cab,” runs a 6 a.m. Bible study at at the Cross Church in Oceanside and plays the guitar. He also teaches OHS freshmen in an omnibus class.

“I’m building relationships in a different field,” Barrett said. “With what I’ve done, and what I’m doing, I’m the richest man in Oceanside.”

Asked if he had a favorite — coaching baseball, coaching football or teaching English — Barrett said, “that’s like asking, ‘Which one of your sons do you love best?’”

“There was something about being in the classroom and seeing the light come on in a student’s eyes when you made the connection, when he or she finally got it. But the same can be said for baseball or football when that player finally gets it,” he said. “Leadership is about taking responsibility. For years, the buck stopped with me. It was always about making situations better.”

One baseball player who got it was Joe Hernandez, who played for Barrett, coached with him and succeeded him as head coach. Hernandez said Barrett was “always available.”

“His door was always open, not just to me but to any student or anyone in the community,” Hernandez said. “He always had a lot on his plate, but he was always on top of everything, able to balance everything. He had a connection with his players and students. He loved teaching English. How many coaches love teaching English?”

At Barrett’s recommendation, Brad Hollingsworth succeeded him as Oceanside’s AD.

“My first year, I called him at 8:25 a.m. for three straight weeks looking for advice,” Hollingsworth said. “He always had time, always had answers. He has always been there as a resource, and I was finally able to take off the training wheels.

“There are three people I look up to … John Carroll, Willie Buchanon (Oceanside High football great, former San Diego State All-American and NFL All-Pro) and Dave Barrett. … He devoted his life to this place, but he has so many interests, we know he’ll be OK. He’s not really retired. He’s just doing other things.”

2025 San Diego High School Coaching Legends Hall of Fame Class

Meritorious honorees

Robin Nixon: Nixon was named the first female athletic director in the history of Coronado High School in 2008.  In 2015, she was named California Coaches Association Girls Athletic Director of the Year. In 2019, the CIF San Diego Section named her the Athletic Director of the Year.

Ken Putnam: Putnam was an assistant football coach for 33 years — one at San Pasqual, 10 at Escondido, seven at Orange Glen, and 15 years at Mission Hills. He was also the head golf coach at Escondido for 10 years and head baseball coach at Orange Glen and Mission Hills for a total of 15 years. Putnam was the athletic director at Orange Glen for five years and Mission Hills for 13. He was named Athletic Director of the Year in 2016 by the CCA. In 2020, the San Diego High School Sports Association named him the Baseball Coach of the Year.

Tom Shaw: Shaw started in the sporting goods industry in 1984 for the All American Sports Corporation, selling sporting goods equipment to youth leagues, high schools, colleges and professional teams in the Southern California area. In 1992, All American sold the company to Riddell Sports, and he continued his career with Riddell.

Coaches

Dave Barrett: Barrett joined Oceanside High School in 1976 as an assistant football and baseball coach, becoming a fixture for 48 years. As head baseball coach from 1978 to 2024, his teams captured seven league titles, reached three CIF finals, and made regular playoff runs. He also served as football defensive coordinator until 2005, taught English and P.E. until 2019, and was athletic director from 2007 to 2019. His honors include induction into the California Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, multiple All-Star coaching selections, CIF Model Coach, and induction into the Oceanside High School Hall of Fame in 2025.

Alex Estrada: Named Eastlake High School’s boys basketball coach in 1999, his teams won the 2001 CIF Championship, were runners-up in 2006, and captured 10 league titles in 15 years. He also was an assistant coach in football, cross country and track. Estrada served nine years as Eastlake’s AD before becoming Middle School Sports Coordinator in 2015. He was named Coordinator of Athletics and Metro Conference President in 2020. He currently serves as Director of Athletics and Student Activities.

Tony Leon: Leon coached football and baseball before leading Brawley High School’s wrestling team from 2002 to 2023, capturing 23 consecutive CIF titles and three dual-meet CIF championships. He coached at Calipatria High School in 2024, winning a CIF championship, before launching the wrestling program at Imperial Valley College.

Pat Moramarco: Moramarco coached girls basketball for 28 years at Vista High School, winning 427 career games. He led his team to the 1994 CIF Division 1 championship. Moramarco was named CIF State Model Coach in 2020 and California State Coach of the Year in 2024. He also served 26 years as Vista’s athletic director.

Marty Nellis: Nellis served as wrestling coach at Rancho Buena Vista High School from 1987 to 2008 and as assistant coach from 2009 to 2022. Nellis was RBV’s athletic director from 2010 to 2022. He was a California Junior National team coach from 2012 to 2022.

Stephanie Niebla: Niebla dedicated 30 years to Southwest-El Centro High School as a teacher and coach. In her 16 years as the softball coach, she won 262 games, eight Imperial Valley League titles and one CIF championship (2018). She received eight IVL Coach of the Year Awards.

Bill Vice: Vice spent 35 years in the San Dieguito Union High School District. His La Costa Canyon cross country teams won 13 CIF titles and finished second at state six times. A three-time San Diego Section Coach of the Year, Vice was named California State Boys Coach of the Year in 2018.

JOHN MAFFEI

Originally Published: September 15, 2025 at 1:02 PM PDT