On
April 11, 2011, Cerritos College hired Dan Clauss as
the department’s new Athletic Director. Since 2008,
the college had rotated athletic directors in the
fall and spring since the retirement of Jeff Smith,
so the hiring of Clauss helps solidify the staff in
the athletic department. Back in 2003-04, Clauss,
35, was an assistant coach with the football team as
a defensive line coach and adjunct faculty member,
so his previous experience with allowed him to
re-join the college with some existing knowledge.
Prior to returning to Cerritos College, Clauss spent
three years as a full-time faculty member and
assistant football coach at Grossmont College, where
he played for the Griffins from 1994-96.
During his time with the
Griffins from 2008-2011, he coached the linebackers,
defensive backs and tight ends and helped them to
two post-season bowl games. After the conclusion of
the 2004 Falcon football season, Clauss was hired by
San Bernardino Valley College, where he was a
full-time faculty member and assistant coach from
2005-07.
A graduate of Santana High School in Santee,
CA, Clauss was a two-way All-CIF selection at tight
end and defensive line before playing at Grossmont
College. He earned all-conference honors as a tight
end his sophomore year and then transferred to
Southeast Missouri State University, where he was
converted to offensive tackle. He completed his
Bachelor's degree in Health Management at SEMO and
then promptly moved to Flagstaff, AZ, where he
eventually started his coaching career in Flagstaff,
at Coconino High School, where he was an assistant
coach on the junior varsity team. Clauss was then
hired by Western Carolina University as a graduate
assistant coach, where he worked with the
linebackers. Clauss also earned his Master's degree
in Two-Year College Physical Education.
Clauss and his wife of 12 years, Lee, live in
Fullerton and have a five-year-old son, Elijah.
