As the starting gun fires, varsity head coach Douglas Plunkett clicks his stopwatch, records times, and calls out encouragement to his athletes.
DGS athletes cross the finish line or set personal records, Plunkett records results and gives congratulations.
After 25 years of coaching at DGS, Plunkett will put down the clipboard and retire at the end of the 2026 track and field season.
In 2024, Plunkett was inducted into the Coaches Association Hall of Fame. This recognition goes to coaches who show commitment, dedication, and passion for the sport they work with.
Plunkett’s retirement signals a new chapter for both the cross-country and track programs—and for Plunkett himself.
“I’ll miss the people I work with, including coaches and the athletes, as well as competing, since I’m a very competitive person,” Plunkett said.
Plunkett emphasizes improvement, whether in practice or in competition.
“I’ve always believed that students or athletes will rise to the level of expectation you place upon them,” Plunkett said.
As proof of this standard, Plunkett has coached two Olympic athletes: Egle Staisuniaite, who competed at DGS in hurdles in 2007, and Tory Franklin, who triple jumped at DGS in 2010.
Franklin still holds two records: 57.72 seconds in the 400-meter and 41 feet, 1 ¼ inches (12.53 meters) in the triple jump.
A close friend of Plunkett’s, former assistant DGS coach Maddie Blanton describes what coaching alongside Plunkett was like for two years.
“During that time, he became not only a mentor but a true friend. I witnessed firsthand the dedication and heart he pours into everything he does to ensure his athletes have not only the opportunities they deserve, but also unforgettable experiences,” Blanton said.
Plunkett’s coaching responsibilities include creating new workouts, developing lineups, and organizing the hundreds of athletes’ warm-ups. He has shown what commitment can do for a team. Alongside organization, Plunkett takes time to establish a relationship with each athlete.
“From him, I learned what it truly means to serve others. Everything he does—both as a coach and as a teacher—is done selflessly,” Blanton said.
Under Plunkett’s leadership, DGS teams have earned 25 WSC Gold Conference titles in cross country and 23 WSC Gold Conference titles in track and field.
In terms of state, the final competition runners must qualify for, Plunkett has had 166 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state individual qualifiers, 55 of those being state medalists and five being state individual champions.
As a coach, Plunkett believes it is important to set up your athletes for success beyond training and practices. To accomplish more in a race, your mindset is critical. Through each season, Plunkett has established how to help his athletes both physically and mentally.
Senior Claire Posmer, who is a track and cross country athlete, summarizes how Plunkett has been throughout her running career.
“He has really impacted my running career by being a strong support system, and he’s really a person who cares. He pushes his athletes to their best abilities and shows his dedication and commitment to the team every single day,” Posmer said.
Posmer qualified to run at the state level for cross country in 2024. With the preparation to achieve such, she spends a lot of time with Plunkett and explains his relationship with the team.
“He knows us very well because of this, which allows us to get the best level of coaching possible. He is always very motivational before meets,” Posmer said.
Colleagues, students and athletes note his influence in both athletics and the classroom. Blanton reflected on the influence Plunkett had on others through his effective coaching style.
“Coach Plunkett has changed more lives than he’ll ever know,” Blanton said.
