Dan Zottarelli's first impression of wrestling was delivered by Tom Granowitz in a Long Island N.Y.at Tresper Clarke junior high school. But the impression provided by his high school coach and idol, Gordon Thomas, provided to be a lasting one. To this day, Zottarelli has yet to figure a way to escape wrestlings hold. Then again, he never really wanted to. On the mat, Zottarelli registered a career mark of 94-18. He captained the W. Tresper Clarke High School team in Westbury, N.Y. Then wrestled as a collegian for Coach George Nedeff at West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.

But it was in the coaching ranks where Zottarelli shined brightest, putting together a career coaching record of 320-98-4. After coaching two years on the YMCA level, Zott moved into the high school ranks, and in his first year at University High School, Morgantown, W.VA. were he coached Steve Soloman to a State Championship at 112 lbs in 1969.

In 1970 he moved to Kent County High School, Worton, MD on Maryland's eastern shore and founded a high school wrestling program and Junior wrestling league.

His teams eventually rubbed shoulders with the states giants. Before he ended his 31 year head coaching career in 2002, Zottarelli's Trojans had compiled a 309-88-8 record and won 12 consecutive Bayside Conference Championships, including a record 10 straight. His teams also won five straight Class 2A/1A East Regional Dual meet and Tournament; one State Dual meet Crown and in 2001 & 2002 Class 2A/1A State Tournament titles; 13 Individual State Titles. Along with his slew of championships, Zottarelli has been one of Maryland's most decorated high school coaches.

In 1990, he was inducted into the Maryland Public Schools Wrestling Hall of Fame, and in 1996 he earned induction to the West Virginia University Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2001 he received perhaps the ultimate honor when he was selected National Scholastic Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

This same year USA Wrestling Magazine picked Zottarelli as their National Co-Coach of the year along with Jim Johnson, Apple Valley HS, Minnesota. Away from the mat. In 2014 West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences inducted Dan in their Hall Of Fame for his outstanding carrier as an educator and wrestling coach.

On September 28, 2024 Daniel Zottarelli class of 1965 was inducted to the W. Tresper Clarke High School, Westbury, New York Hall of Achievement Award as an Alumni Outstanding Educator and Coach.

Dan is the father of two son Brian wrestled for his dad through high school and junior league and captain the Kent County HS Wrestling team his senior year and daughter Wendy kept her dad organized while working as his team manager. Dan has been a Special Olympic coach for 21 years and has run 21 New York City Marathons for the benefit of the American Cancer Society. He enjoys family time with his five grandchildren, Aidan, Trey, Evan, Bree and Kate.