Dim Montero

Montero was born on January 13, 1918, in Camden, New Jersey.Ancestry.com. [https://www-ancestryinstitution-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/discoveryui-content/view/6307896:2238?_phcmd=u(%27https://www-ancestryinstitution-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/search/?name=dominic_montero&birth=1918&successSource=Search&queryId=cf4579bf-3561-4e18-872b-93700d9c194f%27,%27successSource%27) U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. He attended Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was a standout athlete.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143451228/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 12, 1980|page=31|title=Coaching legend Montero dead|author=Tomashek, Tom}} {{Open access}} He made the varsity football team as a 15-year-old freshman in 1934, helping the team tie for the Philadelphia Catholic League title that year against a school with an enrollment more than ten times the size of Salesianum's.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143451544/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 15, 1980|page=20|title=Montero was top athlete, courageous soldier, too|author=Zabitka, Matt|author-link=Matt Zabitka}} {{Open access}}

A tackle, Montero started all four seasons at the school and was a first-team all-league selection in his final three. He helped Salesianum be named the city champions in 1936 and served as team captain that year, then being co-team captain as a senior the next year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143452004/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 24, 1936|page=16|title=Salesians Pick Co-Captains For '37 Grid Eleven}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143452051/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 17, 1937|page=33|title=Montero Drills With Salesians}} {{Open access}} In addition to his success as a football player, Montero also won the Philadelphia Catholic League shot put championship three times straight, including defeating Bucko Kilroy in 1937 and Frank Reagan in 1938.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143452148/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 22, 1955|page=18|title=A La Carte|author=Cartwright, Al|author-link=Al Cartwright}} {{Open access}} His throw at the 1938 championship was a league record.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143453111/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 23, 1938|page=14|title=Dim Montero Establishes New Record For Shot Put}} {{Open access}}

Montero received several athletic scholarship offers, with one newspaper noting that he was one of "the greatest tackles ever turned out in the Philadelphia Catholic League".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143487584/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 29, 1938|page=27|title=Sports Shorts}} {{Open access}} He enrolled at Pennsylvania Military College and immediately became a starter for the P. M. C. Cadets football team at left tackle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143487756/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 5, 1938|page=12|title=Delaware and P. M. C. Collide in Annual Atlantic City Battle}} {{Open access}} He also played basketball at the school, but announced that he was leaving in January 1939.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143488308/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 9, 1939|page=1|title=Dim Montero, Former Sal Star, Quits P. M. C.}} {{Open access}}

In August 1939, it was announced that Montero had signed a deal whereby he would join the professional Wilmington Clippers if he did not find a college to attend; however, he ultimately entered La Salle University and played for their Explorers football team that year under coach Marty Brill.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143488606/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 29, 1939|page=20|title=Newcomers Dot Clipper Array at First Workout}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143488781/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 26, 1954|page=28|title=There's Nothing Dim in Montero's Life Now; Feels Like VIP in Coaching Return at VMI|author=Katzman, Izzy|author-link=Izzy Katzman}} {{Open access}} At the end of the year, he played for and served as head coach of the Scholastic All-Star exhibition team that played against the Wilmington Tonies, the city's semi-professional champion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143489058/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 30, 1939|page=14|title=Tonies Tackle Scholastic '11' In Grid Final}} {{Open access}}

Montero returned to La Salle in 1940 and was a starter at tackle, being one of the "stars" of the team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143489510/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 22, 1940|page=20|title=Seven Seniors End Careers In Tomorrow's Tilt}} {{Open access}} He remained a starter in 1941 and was elected the co-team captain for the 1942 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143489651/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 12, 1941|page=42|title=LaSalle Eleven Names Montero}} {{Open access}} He reportedly was a selection to the Little All-America team and had an offer to play in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, before he was called to serve in World War II.

Montero was stationed at Stony Field in South Carolina from 1941 to 1942, being a player for its military service football team and also its coach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143503608/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 24, 1965|page=27|title=Tribute was due Dim Montero|author=Zabitka, Matt|author-link=Matt Zabitka}} {{Open access}} He was also a member of the Eastern All-Army football team, playing at guard.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143503855/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 18, 1942|page=133|title=Montero On All East Army Eleven}} {{Open access}} He was called to serve overseas in 1943, being a member of the 26th Infantry Division under the command of general George S. Patton. On October 21, 1944, his division fought a battle against the Germans in Metz, France, which saw only eight of 125 members not killed or wounded. He was wounded but continued fighting the next day and was wounded worse; Tony Rendina, who played football against Montero and was also a part of the division, later said that, "How [Montero] survived, I'll never know." Montero had shrapnel in his back, stomach, shoulder, and by his eye, and spent a full year in hospitals recovering.

Montero began his coaching career with the Scholastic All-Stars, for which he played, in 1939, and then was player-coach of the Stony Field team from 1941 to 1942. While he was recovering from his wounds from battle, Montero assisted in coaching the line for the Pacific Tigers under Amos Alonzo Stagg in early 1945.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143504491/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 12, 1949|page=26|title=Dim Montero Appointed Washington College Coach|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}} When he was released from the hospital in September 1945, he spent some time as an assistant at Salesianum.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143504583/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 12, 1945|page=16|title=Wilmington Park Secured For Sallies' Grid Games}} {{Open access}}

In 1946, Montero was named the line coach at St. James High School for Boys in Chester, Pennsylvania.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143504738/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 16, 1946|page=12|title=Dim Montero Named St. James' High Coach}} {{Open access}} While with them in 1948, he also was the head coach of the semi-professional Lamokin Athletic Club.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143505089/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 8, 1948|page=14|title=Lamokin A. C. Joins County Grid Loop}} {{Open access}} In three years at St. James, he helped the school to two undefeated seasons while only allowing seven points to be scored against them.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/143505214/|newspaper=The Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 4, 1949|page=11|title=Injuries Cripple Washington Prepping For Next Game}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/143505302/|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 11, 1949|page=27|title=Montero New Sho' Grid Coach}} {{Open access}} In 1949, he was appointed head coach of the Washington College Shoremen. In his first year, he led the team to a record of 3–2–2 despite only having one senior player; Montero was considered one of the top coaching prospects and received multiple other head coach offers after the season, although he stayed at Washington.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143505431/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 16, 1949|page=30|title=A La Carte|author=Cartwright, Al|author-link=Al Cartwright}} {{Open access}}

Montero left Washington after his second season to become the new head coach of the King's Monarchs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143505677/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1951|page=35|title=Montero Injects New Spirit In King's College Grid Team}} {{Open access}} However, after only one year at King's, he resigned to become an engineer at DuPont.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143505770/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 18, 1952|page=13|title=Dim Montero Resigns College Coaching Job}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143505886/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 30, 1953|page=11|author=Zabitka, Matt|author-link=Matt Zabitka|title=Dim Montero Claims Miller Good Enough For Any College Football Team in U. S.}} {{Open access}} He returned to coaching in 1954, being named the line coach of the VMI Keydets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times/143506064/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 22, 1954|page=14|title=Dim Montero, Former St. James Aide, Named Assistant at VMI}} {{Open access}} However, he resigned before the season started to become a teacher and assistant football coach at Salesianum.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143506228/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 13, 1954|page=29|title=Sallies Add Montero As Grid Helper}} {{Open access}} He also added the role of co-track coach in 1955.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143506328/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 6, 1955|page=32|title=A La Carte|author=Cartwright, Al|author-link=Al Cartwright}} {{Open access}} Among athletes he coached on the track team was Vic Zwolak, who went on to be a competitor at the Summer Olympic Games.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143514663/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 9, 1956|page=29|title=Sallies Began Track Season Wednesday at Redding High}} {{Open access}}

Montero was promoted to head football coach in 1956.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143507435/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 18, 1956|page=32|title=Dim Montero to Coach Salesianum Grid Team}} {{Open access}} He ultimately served in the position for 10 seasons (1956–1965) and led the school to great successes.{{Cite web|url=https://desports.org/dim-montero/|publisher=Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame|title=Dim Montero}} Considered one of the greatest coaches in state history, he compiled an overall record of 70–10–3 at Salesianum and led the team to four undefeated seasons, which included a state-record winning streak of 29 games as well as one of 26 games. He never had a team that lost more than two games.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143513276/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 9, 1966|page=25|title=Montero resigns as Sallies coach}} {{Open access}} He was named the Delaware Coach of the Year in 1957 and was the National Catholic Coach of the Year as well as the National Foundation Coach of the Year in 1964. In Montero's tenure at Salesianum, he helped 46 players earn all-state honors, while having 63 who earned athletic scholarship offers and 20 who were named All-Americans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143513132/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 1, 1974|page=21|title=Montero made believers, molded winners|author=Finocchiaro, Ray}} {{Open access}} He announced his resignation in February 1966.

In 1967, after a year out of football, Montero was hired by the Maryland Terrapins in the position of administrative assistant and assistant football coach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143513527/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 17, 1967|page=25|author=Bodley, Hal|title=Montero seen going to Maryland}} {{Open access}} He also served as coach of the freshman team, a role he dropped in 1968 to be a full-time varsity coach and administrative aide to the coach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143513947/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 28, 1969|page=22|title=Dim Montero is promoted at Md.}} {{Open access}} He received a promotion in 1969 to assistant to the athletic director and recruiting coordinator, also receiving a position overseeing the academics of athletes. He was considered to be a very talented recruiter, with one team staff member saying that Montero could "pick up a rock and find an outstanding football prospect." A notable athlete he recruited was Randy White, who went on to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame player with the Dallas Cowboys. When Maryland reached the 1973 Peach Bowl, 50-of-62 of their players had been recruited by Montero. He announced his retirement in April 1973 at the suggestion of his physician, as he had suffered a stroke the previous December.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/143514505/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 13, 1973|page=37|title=Ailing Montero ends career in athletics|author=Podolsky, Rich}} {{Open access}}

In his coaching career at the college, high school and military levels, Montero's overall record as a head coach was 136–22–4, a winning percentage of 85.2. He was considered "among the most popular sports figures" in Delaware and was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 1978, his first appearance on the ballot. The "Dim Montero Award" was named in his honor, which was given to the best senior football player in Delaware. He was also inducted into the Salesianum School Hall of Fame in 2004, as part of its second class.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143515048/|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 2, 2004|page=22|title=Salesianum hall to induct 5 alumni}} {{Open access}} Montero was ranked first on The News Journal's 2007 list of the 25 greatest high school football coaches in Delaware, compiled by Jack Ireland,{{efn|Ireland based his list on coaches whom he had observed, noting that he thus did not rank older coaches such as George Schollenberger, Bobby Dowd and Millard Naylor.}} and ranked 25th on the newspaper's 2023 list of the "125 Greatest Coaches in Delaware History", compiled by Kevin Tresolini.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143426068/|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|author=Ireland, Jack|title=Del.'s top 25 high school football coaches|date=December 20, 2007|page=216}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/138588693/|newspaper=The News Journal|author=Tresolini, Kevin|date=August 6, 2023|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/142220308/ C3], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/142220328/ C4], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/142220359/ C5]|title=Best Of The Best|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} A statue of Montero was built at the entrance of Salesianum's football field, Abessinio Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.salesianum.org/abessinio-stadium/frequently-asked-questions|publisher=Salesianum School|title=Frequently Asked Questions}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=217913|publisher=Historical Marker Database|title=Dominic "Dim" Montero '38 Historical Marker}}

Montero was married and had three children. He died on December 11, 1980, at the age of 62, in Silver Spring, Maryland, from a heart attack.

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Category:1918 births

Category:1980 deaths

Category:American football tackles

Category:American football guards

Category:Players of American football from Camden, New Jersey

Category:Coaches of American football from New Jersey

Category:Players of American football from Wilmington, Delaware

Category:Coaches of American football from Delaware

Category:Salesianum School alumni

Category:Widener Pride football players

Category:La Salle Explorers football players

Category:Pacific Tigers football coaches

Category:High school football coaches in Delaware

Category:High school football coaches in Pennsylvania

Category:Washington College Shoremen football coaches

Category:King's College Monarchs football coaches

Category:VMI Keydets football coaches

Category:High school track and field coaches in the United States

Category:Maryland Terrapins football coaches

Category:Widener Pride men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Camden, New Jersey

Category:American military personnel of World War II

Category:DuPont people