HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Ocean View High School (OVHS) proudly announces two new head coaches: Daniel Hurtado, boys' and girls' cross country head coach, and Chris Melton, boys’ basketball head coach.

Daniel Hurtado’s journey in athletics began as a student at Ocean View, where he was a dedicated member of the cross country team for three years and participated in track and field for four. He continued his athletic pursuits at Golden West College, competing in cross country for two seasons before transferring to Cal State Fullerton, where he earned his B.S. in Kinesiology. Hurtado brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as a cross country and track and field coach at OVHS since 2014. In addition to connecting with students on the track, he connects with students in the classroom as a Bilingual Instructional Aide.

Throughout his tenure as a coach, Hurtado has achieved remarkable success. Working alongside the previous coach and teams, he played a pivotal role in securing three league titles, guiding the team to qualify for five CIF Finals, and reaching two CIF State Finals in cross country. As an assistant coach, Hurtado earned recognition as Coach of the Year by the Daily Pilot in both 2016 and 2017.

Coach Hurtado exclaimed, "I am excited for this opportunity, and I look forward to stepping up and into the role! Having been part of the program for the last decade and knowing that I have the support of the staff here at OV will make the transition a lot smoother."

"Coach Hurtado played a major role in the growth and success of our cross country program over the last decade,” shared OVHS Athletic Director, Timothy Walsh. “He is well-respected by both students and staff on our campus, and we are excited to see where he can take the program."

Chris Melton has dedicated 22 years to coaching at Ocean View, where he began his journey as a lower-level head coach and varsity assistant coach. As an OVHS alumnus and basketball player, he seamlessly transitioned into coaching after his graduation. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Melton serves as OVHS’s Activities Secretary, contributing to the growth and success of students both on and off the court.

Throughout his coaching career, Melton has significantly contributed to teams’ successes by guiding them to several league championship victories as an assistant coach. He also helped lead the varsity team to three CIF State Playoff appearances, including clinching the title of CIF State Runner-Up during his first year as a full-time varsity assistant.

"This is my dream job,” expressed Coach Melton. “I am honored and blessed to be named the head coach of this historic basketball program and to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of some great young men."

Timothy Walsh stated, “It has been incredible for me to watch Coach Melton evolve as a coach over the last twenty years. He is a man of great character, and I am confident that he will be a strong leader for the young men in our program."

The Huntington Beach Union High School District looks forward to the positive impact these coaches will have on their teams and the OVHS community. Their commitment to excellence and passion for their sport will undoubtedly inspire student-athletes to strive for greatness both on and off the track and court.