Bio:
John Dahlz (JD) has been coaching at Saint Ignatius since 2009 and became the Head Coach for Women’s Swimming & Diving in 2016. Since taking on that role, he has led the team to four WCAL League titles and three CCS Section titles. Prior to coaching full time at SI, JD served as Head Coach for the Cal Triathlon Team from 2009 to 2013. During his four-year tenure leading the Bears, the team never finished worse than third overall at the Collegiate National Championships. Under his leadership, the team earned four national titles (2013 Women’s Team Title, 2012 & 2013 Relay National Championships, and 2013 Women’s Individual National Champion) and two national runner-up finishes (2013 Men’s Individual, 2013 Men’s Team, 2013 Combined Team, and 2012 Women’s Team).
JD is currently the head swim coach for the FOG City Hammerheads Swim Team and also coaches for the Golden Gate and San Francisco Triathlon Clubs.
At SI, JD has coached numerous All-Americans and school record holders in both individual events and relays. He was named CCS Championship Coach of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024. While at Cal, he was honored as UC Berkeley Sports Club Coach of the Year in both 2011 and 2013.
A graduate of Saint Ignatius College Prep ('03), JD gave up his NCAA Division I eligibility before attending Cal and turned professional in triathlon at 18. He held his professional license until 2024 and was a member of the U.S. national team programs from 2007 to 2009. JD won the 2009 Collegiate National Championship and was a four-time member of the Men’s National Champion Team. He is a three-time Vineman Champion (Ironman distance), the 2014 Pacific Masters Swimming Age Group Swimmer of the Year, and a multi-time All-American in both triathlon and masters swimming.
Coaching Experience:
SI '09 - present, Fog City Hammerheads '13 - present, UC Berkeley Triathlon '09 - '13
Coaching Honors:
2022, 2023, 2024 CCS Championship Coach Award, coached numerous All Americans in both individual events and relays during tenure at Saint Ignatius , 2011 and 2013 UC Berkeley Club Coach of the Year
Playing Experience:
SI '00 - '03, Professional Triathlete '03 - '24
Athletic Career Honors:
2009 Triathlon Collegiate National Champion, Multiple All-American Master's Swimming and Triathlon All-American, 2014 Pacific Swimming Age Group Master's Swimmer of the Year
