Damaro comes to the SD Mines football program as the Special Teams Coordinator and defensive backs coach.Before becoimg a Hardrocker, he served as the head coach at Humboldt State University in California. He joined the Lumberjacks coaching staff in the spring of 2017 and worked with the defensive backs and special teams.
“I am both honored and privileged for this opportunity to join this university and staff,” Wheeler said. “Coach Tinker and I go way back in this profession. I know what type man and coach he is so when the opportunity arose it was a natural fit. I look forward to working with the rest of the department and these hard working young men.”
Prior to Humboldt State, Wheeler served as defensive coordinator/assistant head coach at College of the Redwoods. He helped the program’s defense improve in each of his two seasons there.
“Coach Wheeler has already been an NCAA Div. II head coach, so he understands the demands of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and will bring that ‘lunch pail’ mentality to problem-solving and program development,” Tinker added.
Wheeler also had coaching stops at the University of California Davis (Calif.)(2012-14), Central Washington (2010-11), Southern Oregon (2007-09) and Mission Bay High School in San Diego, California (2004-05).
He played collegiately at Azusa Pacific and San Diego Mesa College. Wheeler helped Azusa Pacific to an Independent Conference Championship in his final year of eligibility (2003).
