Donn Coates was a part of the beginning of Oak Hills Athletics. After graduating from Wilmington College and serving as the Dean of Men, teacher and head baseball coach at Wilmington College Donn came to a brand new Oak Hills High School in 1959. He served as a teacher and a coach for eight years including Head Baseball Coach from 1966 - 1972, Head Basketball Coach from 1959-1961, Assistant Track Coach from 1959-1961 and Assistant Football Coach from 1961-1965. In 1966, Donn became the athletic director at Oak Hills High School. He served the student athletes and coaches as athletic director of the District until his retirement in 1985. Donn was selected as Athletic Director of the Year for the Southwest District in 1980. During his twenty year stint as Oak Hills Athletic Director, Oak Hills was awarded the prestigious "Enky Award" nineteen times. This award is given annually to the school in each conference which wins the most championships.