Wesleyan University

Dario Highsmith '20 brings a well-rounded background to the role of receiver coach at Wesleyan, as he completed his second season as an assistant in 2024. As the 2013 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, Dario's playing experiences laid a strong foundation for his journey. He was a four-year starter at Wesleyan (2016-19) and part of the two Little Three Championship teams (2016 and 2019) in his four years.

A member of the 2024 NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year, which marked the team's first-ever NESCAC Coaching Staff recognition, Highsmith helped lift the Cardinals to the team's best season in the modern era in 2024, as Wesleyan went 8-1, captured a third straight Little Three title, and culminated in the team's first-ever outright NESCAC Championship.  Opening the year with a 43-7 drubbing of Middlebury on the road, that win marked the Panthers' biggest home loss in over 40 years. Wesleyan then held Tufts without a touchdown in a 20-9 triumph under the lights at home. After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bates in Week 3, the Cardinals rebounded with six straight wins to end the year. That six-game win streak started with 19 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat Hamilton on the road 19-7. Jake Edwards returned a fumble 88 yards for a game-winning, walk-off overtime touchdown in a 23-17 win over Colby in Week 5. The Cardinals held off Bowdoin for a 17-14 road win before scoring 31 unanswered to defeat Amherst 31-14 in a game that Wesleyan trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. With a third straight Little 3 title on the line, the Cardinals drove over 90 yards down the field with less than two minutes to play in regulation, as WR Luke LaSaracina '25 hauled in a game-deciding touchdown with six seconds left as Wesleyan defeated Williams 25-24 in an epic clash to claim three straight Little Three Championships for the first time since 1946-48. Then in the season finale, Wesleyan's defense held Trinity scoreless in the second half, converting two lengthy fourth downs in pivotal moments in the fourth quarter, to defeat Trinity 27-17 in what was the de-facto NESCAC Championship game in Hartford.

Under his guidance, WR Chase Wilson '25 was named to the All-NESCAC First Team for the second straight season in 2024 while the playmaking wideout earned 2024 NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year honors, becoming just the third Cardinal in team history to earn the league's highest individual award on offense. 
 
Dario's coaching career started upon graduation in 2020, as the receivers coach at Don Bosco Prep, offering him the chance to work with one of the elite high school programs in the country. He also co-founded Sideline Hustle, supporting over 50 NFL athletes, training and working with NFL wide receivers and tight ends the past three years. Dario lives in Middletown.