Dan Mecca completed his first season as an assistant coach with the Fairleigh Dickinson track and field program in 2019-20.
During the 2019-20 indoor track and field season, Mecca helped the Knights women's team earn their first NEC Championship since 1999. He coached throwers Stacey Saint-Paul, Ashleigh Convery, and Elizabeth Peppernick. On the men's side, FDU placed third and Mecca worked with Ben Clay III, who broke the school record in the weight throw. The veteran coach also coached freshman Tahj Mullings, who earned NEC Rookie of the Week during the season and reached the NEC Championships. Mecca worked with jumpers Sandley Elysee and Keion Oglesby to begin the season as well.
Mecca spent 31 seasons at Manhattan College, including 24 as the head coach of the Jaspers track and field program and seven years as an assistant field events coach. He also was the head coach of Manhattan’s cross country program for 19 seasons.
On the addition of Mecca to her staff, FDU Head Men’s/Women’s Track and Field Coach Sharlene Milwood-Lee said, ”I am excited to have Dan join our staff. He is a highly respected, well-rounded coach in our field and will add a new dynamic to our staff with his expertise in the events he will be coaching.”
At Manhattan, Mecca helped guide the program to 61 conference championships and in 2012 he earned MAAC Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor track and field. He also coached five athletes to NCAA titles, including two in throwing events. Mecca’s efforts in 2005 earned him the title of NCAA Regional Coach of the Year. Over the course of his 24 seasons, Mecca sent at least one athlete to the NCAA Championships each year.
Mecca’s coaching career began in 1974 at St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford, N.J. The Montclair State University graduate took over the St. Mary’s cross country and track and field programs in 1977 before earning his first collegiate head coaching position in 1984 at William Paterson University.
In addition, Mecca coached the United States team at the 1990 World Junior Championships, the 1993 Irish National Team and the United States World Championship team in 2009. Most recently, he coached the USA Track and Field National Team at the World U20 Championships in 2018 and was an assistant throwing coach in the 2019 Pan American Games.
