Trine University has hired Dan Hanson as the new Head Coach for the program.
Hanson, 26, is a former professional rugby player from Kentucky who was a standout prop at Louisville. He played for the Panther Rugby Academy U23s and played with Anthem and with Chicago in Major League Rugby before moving back to Kentucky and joining the University of Louisville program as a strength & conditioning coach.
The position was Trine fits in with what the University’s goals appear to be in their rugby program—attracting smart rugby student-athletes who are mostly from the United States. With that in mind, an American coach fit the plan.
“One of my buddies sent me the application,”Hanson told GRR. “And I saw it as a good opportunity to apply, learn, and see where my resume stacks up. What attracted me to it was how unbelievable Trine has been in support of the rugby program.”
Trine expected to have a strong presence in the Midwest—the school is located in Angola, Ind., not far from the borders with Michigan and Ohio—and so a coach with regional roots was attractive.
“It all worked out really well,”said Hanson of the interview process. “I do have some connection to the Midwest and we’re in a really good area for rugby talent. I was a little hesitant at first but I saw that Trine has 99% job placement after graduation, good financial aid through the University, and I saw this is a great opportunity.”
