Don Warhurst

San Dimas Saints Smudge Pot Hall of Fame

Head Football Coach, 1977 to 1984

Five Smudge Pot Victories | 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984

A Saint from the Beginning

Few coaches have been as closely connected to the early history of San Dimas High School football as Don Warhurst. From the program’s beginnings in 1971 through his eight seasons as head coach, Warhurst helped establish the Saints as a competitive football program and a formidable rival to the Bonita Bearcats.

Warhurst joined the San Dimas coaching staff in 1971, the school’s inaugural year, serving as an assistant under head coach Bob Biaz. A standout athlete at Cal Poly Pomona during the 1960s, Warhurst had earned the university’s Athlete of the Year recognition before graduating in 1969. Following a season coaching at Nogales High School, he became part of the new San Dimas football program.

When Warhurst was named head coach in 1977, he inherited a young program with a growing tradition of success. He would spend the next eight seasons leading the Saints, building teams that competed throughout the San Gabriel Valley and reinforcing the importance of the annual Smudge Pot rivalry.

Five Smudge Pot Victories

Warhurst’s place in San Dimas football history is especially significant because of his success against Bonita.

Between 1977 and 1984, Warhurst led the Saints to five Smudge Pot victories, tying Dean Bennett for the most wins by a San Dimas head coach in the rivalry’s history.

His first victory came in 1977, when the Saints shut out Bonita 13-0. The following season, San Dimas claimed another victory, 24-14.

After victories in 1981 and 1983, Warhurst’s final Smudge Pot game as head coach became one of the most memorable performances in the rivalry’s history.

On September 21, 1984, the Saints defeated the Bearcats 46-0, the largest margin of victory by a Warhurst-coached team over Bonita.

Led by quarterback Dennis Watson and running back Jesse Canada, the Saints dominated on both sides of the football. Canada rushed for 192 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Watson threw two touchdown passes. The San Dimas defense held Bonita to negative total yardage.

It was a fitting conclusion to Warhurst’s Smudge Pot coaching career and a performance that remains one of the defining victories in Saints football history.

Building the Saints Tradition

While his five Smudge Pot victories are central to his legacy, Warhurst’s contributions extended well beyond the annual rivalry.

His teams achieved several notable seasons, including an 8-4 record in 1981, an 8-2 record in 1983, and a 7-3 record in 1984.

During his tenure, the Saints produced outstanding players and memorable teams that helped establish San Dimas as a respected football program.

Warhurst was also part of the coaching staff during the school’s formative years, when the Saints were developing their identity and building a rivalry with their neighboring school.

A Lasting Legacy

High school football traditions are built over generations. They are shaped by coaches who establish expectations, players who embrace the challenge, and communities that continue to support their teams long after the final whistle.

Don Warhurst helped build those traditions at San Dimas High School.

As an assistant coach during the program’s earliest years and later as its head coach, he contributed to the foundation of Saints football. His five Smudge Pot victories remain tied for the most by any San Dimas head coach, and his 1984 team’s decisive victory over Bonita stands as an unforgettable chapter in the rivalry.

For his leadership, his dedication to San Dimas football, and his enduring place in the history of the Smudge Pot rivalry, Don Warhurst deserves recognition in the San Dimas Saints Smudge Pot Hall of Fame.

Once a Saint, Always a Saint.

Career highlights

• San Dimas assistant coach: 1971 to 1976
• San Dimas head coach: 1977 to 1984
• Overall head-coaching record: 39-39-1, according to the 2025 record book
• Smudge Pot record: 5 wins, 3 losses
• Smudge Pot victories: 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984
• Signature rivalry victory: San Dimas 46, Bonita 0 (September 21, 1984)
• Historical distinction: Tied for the most Smudge Pot victories by a San Dimas head coach