Dave Atencio joins Mullen staff
Decorated coach now in command of Mullen softball.
“This is the right decision for me.”
So said Dave Atencio, named Mullen softball head coach this week.
Previously a Mustangs assistant coach, Atencio said “that definitely was a big part of my decision, being a part of it, meeting the kids, the administration, the parents, all of the above. I just feel really comfortable with all of this.”
And in demand – Atencio is well known in Colorado softball circles and had at least three other offers, but said he couldn’t pass on heading the Mustangs.
His credentials are considerable. Over 26 seasons in command, Atencio has a career mark of 390-123.
He has had two previous significant stops. At Valor Christian from 2013-18, the Eagles were 123-23 under Atencio with three Colorado championships, four regional titles and three Jefferson County League crowns.
And at Jeffco’s Dakota Ridge, the Atencio-led Eagles, who began together with the inception of the school, won a state championship, were runners-up three times, grabbed 10 regional crowns and took 11 Jeffco championships. Fifteen times he was named a coach of the year through the likes of Jeffco, assorted newspapers, Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports, the National Federation of State High School Associations and the John Lynch Foundation.In addition, the Jeffco District named the softball complex at Dakota Ridge as Dave Atencio Field in 2010.
Atencio also was assistant head coach for two seasons at Jeffco’s Chatfield.
“I think Dave is a terrific and seasoned coach,” Mullen principal Jeff Howard said. “He knows softball, he knows our student-athletes and what I like about Dave is he understands Mullen as well. We’re excited to have him as our softball coach.”
The younger Mustangs struggled a year ago, compiling a 5-13 overall record and 1-6 in the always good Centennial League (it’s Class 5A; the Mustangs will play in the postseason in 4A), but they head into the 2020 season minus only two senior regulars.
“We have a solid nucleus back,” Atencio said. “We’ll still be young at pitcher, but they will be playing on really good summer teams.”
Plus, some current eighth-grade talent is said to be coming in for the 2020-21 school year.
Atencio said he hopes to complete his staff soon and begin the process.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
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