Don Mills
As a dorm meeting is dismissed, a room filled with 60 Wentworth students begin to chant a deafening, “DON!” and march out of the room. After residing in Wentworth Hall for nine years and serving as head of the dormitory, physical education instructor, Don Mills, better known as “Coach” across campus, moved out of the dormitory this past summer which has since prompted the chanting of his name for all Wentworth events.
Mills first came to Exeter in 2001 to coach the varsity cycling team in the spring. After interning for a year at the school, he was hired again and has since progressed to be the head varsity coach for water polo, swimming and diving and cycling. Mills was assigned the head coaching position for cycling in 2002 and led the water polo team as assistant coach for three years under Roger Nekton. In Mills’ debut seasons as water polo’s head coach in 2005-2006, Big Red won back to back New England Championships. Mills earned yet another championship title during the 2012 season.
"I don’t feel like either of us is ever holding back the truth. He is a really perceptive and empathetic man—even if he doesn’t make it clear, he knows exactly what and how his boys are doing at any given time."
Before Mills began his career at Exeter, he competitively trained in cycling and competed at the 2000 Olympic Trials. Mills currently also serves as the Physical Education Department Director of the ninth grade where he works with students in the prep physical education program. In the spring Mills teaches two sections of sport science, a senior elective where the class digs into anatomy physiology, forms of training and lots of sports talk. Mills explained that each student in the class is an athlete that trains competitively and is interested in understanding more about preparing effectively. The class is especially interesting as there are is a wide diversity in perspectives around the table every week. Mills credited the success of the class dynamic to the eagerness of the seniors who participate. He emphasized that unlike most classes, students do not have to be there, but rather come to class excited to take part of something they are legitimately interested in.
When asked what it was like living in a home that required managing a large group of teenagers, he responded, “Living in Wentworth was certainly lively. I think it was pretty fun because the energy was good and it’s fun for me to organize with them and do fun stuff.” One behind the scenes challenge Mills undertook as dorm head was understanding the necessity of being prepared for any situation. “Being in the dorm with the personalities that are in here is more entertaining than anything,” he said. Mills also appreciated raising his kids on a campus where they could enjoy having friends around all the time.
Mills also enjoys transitioning to different sports through the seasons. Although it can be hard to make the leap between seasons, he described the change of scene as “invigorating,” which is something he likes about working with so many different athletes.
Senior David Shepley, an advisee of Mills and water polo captain of the 2015 season, said, “coach Mills provided me through water polo and swimming an outlet to let my energy out and just be a boy. He always maintained authority and a strict regiment but in return gave us a space to be boys. This environment was more important than I thought at the time because it kept us out of trouble and other harmful alternatives of relieving stress.”
Similarly, senior Will Belmont, who had Mills as an advisor and coach for eight seasons, said, “He provides the perfect proportion of advising and freedom all while never taking himself too seriously. It makes for a really fun environment at meetings and practices alike.” When reflecting on his time with Mills, Belmont said, “My relationship with Mr. Mills is very natural—I don’t feel like either of us is ever holding back the truth. He is a really perceptive and empathetic man—even if he doesn’t make it clear, he knows exactly what and how his boys are doing at any given time.”