Former Seaford head football coach and athletic director Mark Quillin has gone back to Sussex Tech as the school’s new athletic director. Quillin served as a coach in three sports during his eight years with the Ravens before going to Seaford to lead the football team in 2020.
“Both boys graduated here, so it’s kind of a special place for my family,” Quillin said of returning to Sussex Tech. Mark and wife Leslie’s sons Travis and Nathaniel played lacrosse and football for the Ravens and Leslie also worked at the school.
Quillin
Mark stayed close to the people at Sussex Tech after he went to Seaford. Many of the coaches he worked with are still there. In 2014, Quillin was named State Football Coach of the Year after his team won the Henlopen North.
After coaching three sports in his 15 years at Delmar (wrestling and lacrosse head coach and football assistant coach) and his eight years at Sussex Tech (football assistant and head coach and lacrosse and track and field assistant coach), Quillin served as head football coach at Seaford and was later named as the Blue Jays’ athletic director. The position at Sussex Tech allows him to serve as athletic director only.
“I wanted to grow as a professional a little bit,” said Quillin. “I really enjoyed my time at Seaford. They were really good to me but I still missed it here (Sussex Tech) a little bit.”
Quillin received a call from friends at Sussex Tech to see if he was interested in the athletic director position. He said he made the decision in the best interest of his family, to spend more time with his wife.
“It was a long, tough decision mainly because of the kids,” he said. “I’m still struggling with it a little bit.”
“We really got things going in the right direction football wise,” Quillin added. “I think they’re in good hands with coach (Austin) Perry. That senior class was really special to my heart.”
Quillin said he is looking forward to being a part of building a new school, something he has never been a part of. He is also looking to give back to younger coaches and see kids play other sports such as field hockey, soccer, and cross country.
“It gives me a chance to support the other sports,” said Quillin.
For the first time in his career, he will not be on the sidelines calling plays during football season.
“Football’s been a part of my life in the fall since I was six years old,” he said. “We’ll see how things go. If coach (Brad) Ellingsworth needs some help I’m not going to turn him down.”
Quillin has spent his 32-year education career in different education and athletic roles in Maryland and Delaware schools. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Towson State University and his masters in educational leadership is from Wilmington College.
