Doug Wells, director of track and field, has emerged as the face of the Cerritos College track and field program over the last two decades.
At the conclusion of this season, the program will face the monumental task of trying to replace him in the eve of his retirement.
“I’ve always wanted to leave the program in good shape and I certainly feel like I’m doing that,” he said. “I feel like the program is on a good level.”
Wells said he has received support from several people outside the track and field program during his tenure.
“I think the administration has been very good here. They’ve always supported athletics and track and field. Especially Dr. [Linda] Lacy because she has an athletic background,” he said.
“The Academic Support Center has been very good for us; the Associated Students of Cerritos College also supports track and field. It’s there when you need it. I couldn’t ask for more from the school, the administration and the people,” Wells said.
“I’ve been thinking about it for the last few years. I’ve been doing this a long time and now it’s time to travel and do some other things. I’ll still keep my fingers in it a bit, one way or another.”
He also said that the Golden Handshake, a retirement incentive program that was offered earlier this semester, did affect his decision to retire.
“I knew there wouldn’t be another chance for me. I’m past retirement age so it was something I was going to do soon anyway. The opportunity was right, so I took it.”
Wells’ coaching has also expanded outside of Cerritos College. He was chosen to serve as the head manager for the U.S. National Track and Field Team and led them at the NACAC Under-23 Championships in the Dominican Republic in 2006.
Sophomore sprinter Ameer Webb ran for Wells for two years and Webb said he has always pushed him to do better.
“It makes you feel good because he’s coached so many athletes, and not just that, but so many great athletes. He told me that I have so much potential that he hasn’t seen in years and years of coaching.”
Wells said, “I’m just very thankful to be at Cerritos. I’m so fortunate to have a great school with great facilities to recruit and coach at. We have one of the best facilities in the state,” he said.
As he nears the end of his 22nd season, Wells is still focused on his team performing well.
“Our men’s team is No. 2 in the state and our women are No. 4,” he said. “We’ll see how it comes out in the end. Both teams will be on the hunt for a state championship.
“We’ve definitely gotten better as time’s gone by and we’ve figured some things out. We’ve been in the elite [class] of track programs for the last 10 to 12 years.”
Over the course of time, he has had dual-sport athletes. He and head football coach Frank Mazzotta have developed a good relationship over the years, which makes it easier to work it out.
“Mazzotta and I played football together at (University of Utah), so I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve been able to work it out athletically with football and track.
“I’ve seen really good football players also be really good track athletes and win state championships. It takes a bit of work to do it but it can be done,” he said.
Wells has been easy to recognize because of the cart he rides around in during practice.
“I can get around so much faster. People think I use it because I can’t walk but it has really become a good coaching tool.
“I can get to all of the events so much quicker and faster,” he explains.
Before coming to Cerritos, Wells was the head coach at Taft College for 10 years. He led the team to a state championship, seven conference championships and was awarded the California Community College Cross Country and Track Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year award.
Since coming to Cerritos, he has guided the track and field teams to five SCC titles and two state championships, and they are in good position to capture two more this season. He was also awarded two more coach of the year awards by the 5CTCA and named Coach of the Year by the California Track and Running News five times.
“I just want to teach them integrity and honesty and to compete at their best level,” he said. “Not everyone can be a state champion, but I’ve always stressed, you need to compete to your best ability, whatever that is.
“That’s what I try to instill in them,” he said.
