Templeton High School coach and teacher dies of COVID at 55, leaving ‘a huge, huge hole’
Templeton High School is mourning the loss of football coach and PE teacher Dave Harper, who died Oct. 20 from complications of COVID-19. He was 55 years old.
Harper, known also as “Harpdog,” had been a PE teacher at the North County school for nearly 20 years. During his time there, he also worked as the school’s athletic director and football coach.
His death leaves “a huge, huge hole” at the Templeton school, Principal Josh Aston said.
“He used to do these ‘Harp to heart’ talks with the students where he would just talk with them about life and about what’s going on with them to really connect with them on their level,” Aston said. “He looked at PE as more than just being PE. So that’s definitely an impact that’s going to be felt for years to come.”
Harper was hired by the school district in August 2002.
The talented football player was born and raised in Eureka, California, on May 5, 1966.
He attended the College of the Redwoods to play football and in 1987 accepted a football scholarship to Weber State University in Utah.
Harper then transferred that same year to Humboldt State University to play Division II football for the Northern California school.
After graduating in 1989, Harper was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1990 National Football League Draft. He played for the Cowboys for a year before moving on to play for various other professional teams, including one in Canada.
In 1997, he was inducted into the Humboldt State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Harper’s friends described him as quiet, humble and kind to a fault.
“He was a kind, gentle giant with a big heart,” said former Templeton High School Principal and friend of Harper’s Jim Fotinakes in a written statement. “He was so humble about his athletic accomplishments. He would never brag. I did that for him.”
Phil James, a counselor and former athletic director at Templeton High School, said Harper was “always the sweetest, big teddy bear” and never embodied the typical “tough love” PE teacher and football coach stereotype.
Harper’s death is “a huge loss,” James said. “There’s a gap, an emptiness. There’s a darkness when you walk by his office.
“He was at everything — every sporting event, cheering on the kids. He would work the football games, he was willing to chaperone dances. ... This was his family, and we’re going to miss him.”
A candlelight vigil was scheduled to be held in memory of Harper at Templeton High School’s Volunteer Stadium Wednesday evening starting at 7 p.m. Attendees were invited for “one last ‘Harp to heart.’ ”
This story was originally published October 27, 2021 at 10:40 AM.
