Gateway Class of 1960
Dwain began his high school athletic career at Pitcairn High School in 1957. He was the quarterback of the football team and an integral part of the school’s basketball team as a sophomore. With the “birth” of Gateway
High School in 1958, Dwain became part of a new program and helped to build the strong tradition of excellence in Gateway athletics.
The 1958 football season presented Dwain’s first opportunity to demonstrate his athletic and leadership abilities. As the quarterback of the newly named Gators, he directed the team to an outstanding inaugural season. He was also a starter on the school’s first basketball team as well as n1ember of the first track team to wear the black and gold.
As a senior, Dwain continued to demonstrate his abilities as both a player and a leader throughout the school year. He was elected by his classmates as the President of the Class of 1960. He guided the Gateway Gator Football Team to a record of 12 wins 4 losses and 2 ties in the first two years of the school’s competition. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the football team after the 1959 season. His efforts on the basketball court as a senior helped to establish the groundwork for a successful program in later years. During his senior year, Dwain returned to a sport in
which he had achieved a great deal of success earlier in his life. Gateway baseball was better because of his decision. The first no-hit baseball game at Gateway High School was pitched by Dwain on April 21, 1960 against Plum High School.
Upon his graduation, Dwain moved on to Rutgers University where he was a quarterback and defensive back from 1960 to 1963. He was the captain of the Freshman team in 1960 and, in 1961, a n1ember of the first undefeated team at Rutgers. Dwain received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1964 and a Masters in Education degree in 1965.
Wall High School in Wall, New Jersey became the first stop on the coaching trail for Dwain. He was the Head Football Coach at Wall from 1965 to 1970.
In 1971 and 1972, Dwain was a member of the coaching staff at San Jose State University in San Jose, California. He moved on to become the quarterbacks and receivers coach at the College of San Mateo in San Mateo, California in 1973. 1974 found Dwain at Brigham Young University where he became the quarterback coach under Head Coach LaYell Edwards. He remained at BYU for the 1975 season. During the seasons of 1976, 1977 and 1978 Dwain served as quarterbacks coach at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. His first head coaching position at the collegiate level came at Northern Arizona University in 1979. He remained there through the 1981 season at which time he moved on to become the Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach at Georgia Tech. Dwain remained at Georgia Tech until 1986. In 1986 the University of Texas became his home when he assumed the duties of Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach. 1987 found him taking on these same responsibilities with the University of Illinois. While working with the “Illini”, Dwain coached current NFL quarterback Jeff George.
Dwain’s NFL career began in 1988 when he became a member of the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers under Chuck Noll. He remained the wide receivers coach for the Steelers for four years. His NFL tenure continued in 1992 and 1993 with the Indianapolis Colts. In 1994 Dwain became the quarterbacks coach of the San Diego Chargers and remained there through 1996. During the 1994 season in San Diego, he helped Stan Humphries achieve a career high 17 touchdown passes as the Chargers won the AFC title and met the San Francisco Forty Niners in Super Bowl
XXIX. Dwain’s next coaching assignment, with the Denver Broncos in 1997, brought a return trip to the Super Bowl (XXXII) and a win over the Green Bay Packers. The 1998 and 1999 seasons took him to Dallas where he served as the wide receivers coach of the Cowboys.
“I have many fond memories of my two years at Gateway Senior High School. Athletically, I can think back to all of my friends, classmates and teammates that were part of my life and the spirit and tradition of Gateway. I will always remember our opening football victory over North Allegheny (24-7) in 1958 and my no-hit game against Plum in 1960.
I want to thank everyone who has helped to make the Gateway Sports Hall of Fame a reality. I feel extremely honored to be included in this year’s class and to have an opportunity to share in some of the highlights and history of Gateway Senior High School.”
Dwain Painter, 2000
Dwain and his wife Cathy currently reside in Coppell, Texas.
“Butch, as a starting quarterback your junior and senior years you possessed leadership qualities that inspired your teammates to play with great enthusiasm. This enthusiasm was immediately obvious when our offense broke the huddle and approached the line of scrimmage. In 1958, our first season, Gateway High School football team had to hurdle many obstacles to accomplish a 7-1-1 record. You gave the Gateway fans some great thrills starting with the 24-7 victory over North Allegheny. Butch, your strong arm and accurate passing was a huge plus for our offense. I would like to mention a few memorable games. At Tarentum we kept our undefeated record by clobbering them 33-7. Fritchman and you teamed up to score on passes of 55 yards and 22 yards. Although Kittanning scored first, the Gators came back scoring two touchdowns as you hit your favorite receivers Fritchman and Lobaugh. In this victory the Gators upset favored Kittanning 24-13. Our final game of the 1958 season was played against Hopewell High School. The first two touchdowns against Hopewell came from old reliable Painter to Fritchman and Stevick. Your next touchdown pass was a beautiful heave of 46 yards, which Fritchman caught for the final score giving the Gators a 24-14 win.
Butch, the 1958-59 Gator teams set the tone for future Gateway High School football teams. Your success set the foundation for many years of glory at your alma mater. The Pitcairn-Monroeville community is proud of your continued success in the National Football League where your leadership has inspired athletes all over the country. It was a pleasure being associated with you as one of your high school coaches.”
Coach Pete Antimarino