01/27/2026
✨Meet our speaker: Coach Duane Damron✨
Duane Damron is a lifelong educator, mentor, and beloved figure in Kern County athletics. Raised in McFarland, California, Duane graduated from McFarland High School, where he excelled in sports, agricultural activities, and student leadership before attending the University of California, Davis. At UC Davis, he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics, was a standout football player and was selected All-Far Western Conference. He served as captain of the Aggies football team in both 1954 and 1955.
Duane began his career in education and coaching at Colusa High School, followed by six years at Arvin High School, where he taught and coached before joining the Bakersfield College football program in 1966. For 35 years, he served as an assistant coach for the Renegades, primarily working with the offensive line under four head coaches and helping shape countless young athletes both on the field and in life. He retired from Bakersfield College in 2000 after decades of dedicated service.
In addition to his long coaching career, Duane also taught mathematics for eight years, reflecting his lifelong commitment to education. His contributions to the sport and his impact on the community have been honored with inductions into several halls of fame, including the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame and recognition by the California Community College Football Coaches Association.
Duane’s legacy of service extends beyond athletics. He was awarded the Carnegie Heroes Medal for his selfless efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, embodying a spirit of courage and compassion. He and his wife, Marie, are the proud parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents of a growing family and continue to be deeply rooted in the values of faith, service, and community.
