Truman State University Athletics

Dan Hernandez joins the Truman staff in 2018 as the Offensive Line coach. Hernandez served the past two years on staff at Towson University as the Tight Ends/Fullbacks coach. He has served as a graduate assistant for the offensive line at both Northwestern (Ill.) and Florida International and was a four-year player at Division II Upper Iowa University.

At Towson in 2017, the Tigers led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in third down conversions at 40.8% and the tight ends and fullbacks produced the second most touchdowns on the team. The kickoff return unit, in which Hernandez served as an assistant coach for, was ranked 27^th in the Football Championship subdivision and third in the CAA. In 2016, the Tigers were fifth in passing offense while the special teams led the league and 12^th nationally in field goal percentage, making 81.8% or 18 of 22.  

From 2013 through 2015, Hernandez was a graduate assistant for the offensive line at Northwestern and was member of the 2015 Outback Bowl squad.  That team finished 10-3 and was ranked #23 in the final Associated Press poll. They were fourth in the Big Ten in rushing offense and second in kickoff returns. He also oversaw recruiting efforts for the Wildcats in the state of Florida and assisted with weight training and off-season development. His work with the offensive line helped eventually produced the all-time leading rusher at Northwestern in Justin Jackson with 5,440 yards.

At Florida International, Hernandez served in multiple roles for the Panthers including Offensive graduate assistant for the offensive line, Assistant Director of Football Operations and Operations Intern. The team was the 2010 Sun Belt Conference and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl champions and in 2011 played in the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl (now Gasparilla Bowl) that set a then school record for wins with eight. He coordinated the scout defense and specialist and oversaw all recruiting efforts.

Hernandez graduated from Upper Iowa in 2009 with bachelor’s degree in criminology. He was a two-year team captain for the Peacocks and selected to three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference all-academic teams.

He earned his master’s in public administration from FIU in 2011 and a master’s in sports administration from Northwestern in 2016.