Dave Dlugosz was a 1970 graduate of Avon Lake, where he lettered in football and wrestling. He was team captain and MVP his senior season in football, as well as all SWC. Dave continued his education with a successful 4-year career at Wilmington College, where he captained the football team his last year and played in the All-Ohio Shrine Bowl game.

Upon his return to ALHS as a teacher, Dave became the varsity wrestling coach, and coached Avon Lake’s first state qualifier. For the past 7+ years, Dave has coached the Shoremen football team, and through the 1998-99 season, Dave has the highest winning percentage of all Avon Lake football coaches in history, at .813. His teams have won SWC championships in 5 of his 7 years, and have qualified for the state playoffs 3 times. He has been honored 4 times as the Lorain County Football Coaches Association Coach-of-the-Year, as well as Northeast District Coach-of-the-Year 2 times. Dave started the Shoremen football skills camps for elementary students and the Rug Rat wrestling program.