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Colgate University Athletics

Team Running onto Field
Madeline Horner

Football By John Painter

Get to Know 'Gate Athletics -- Dan Hunt

Colgate Head Football Coach Completing Second Decade with Raiders

Dan Hunt has been in the locker room for seven Patriot League championship teams during his two decades at Colgate.
HAMILTON -- Dan Hunt is entering his 20th season with Colgate Athletics, and his second as head coach of the Raider football program. Hunt served 18 years on the staff of Dick Biddle before taking over for his mentor after the 2013 season.
 
Hunt led Colgate to a third-place finish in the Patriot League in his debut head coaching season after the Raiders were picked for fifth in the preseason poll. During his 18 seasons as an assistant, the Springfield College graduate served four seasons as associate head coach and seven as offensive coordinator. He had been the quarterbacks coach since 1999.
 
The Biddle and Hunt team combined to win seven Patriot League championships, and in 2003 they guided the Raiders all the way to the NCAA FCS Championship Game.

Hunt has coached such All-Americans as Jamaal Branch, Jordan Scott, Gavin McCarney, Jordan McCord and Ryan Risch. Quarterback Gavin McCarney completed his career in 2013 having set or tied 19 Colgate football records.
 
Born in Canajoharie, N.Y., Hunt graduated from Springfield in 1992 with a degree in physical education, and earned his master's degree in athletic administration from Springfield in 1995.

Dan and Susanne Hunt, and their sons Ryan and Sean, make their home in Hamilton.
 
"Dan has been such an integral member of our university, department and community ever since his arrival," said Colgate Director of Athletics Victoria M. Chun '91, MA'94. "He masterfully blends the deep tradition of our program, while always staying on the cutting edge. Dan's leadership, instincts, integrity and football IQ truly make him one of the best coaches in Division I."

Get to Know Dan Hunt
 
  • An Influential Person in My Career: Dick Biddle, Fred Dunlap and Mike Foley are the reason I am here today. Marty Fine also taught me a lot when I was first starting out.
  • An Idea or Invention I Wish I Had Thought of: The Keurig coffee maker.
  • What I Like About My Job: The people I get to meet, including players, their families and all of the people at Colgate and in Hamilton.
  • What I Like About Competing: There is no gray area; you win or you lose. And in the case of football, you do it all TOGETHER.
  • What I Would Like to Change: The starting hole at Seven Oaks.
  • What I Like That Would Surprise Those Who Know Me: 1- I try to use Seinfeld references in an many situations as possible; 2- I am addicted to the "Stuff You Should Know " podcast; and 3- I love horse racing.
  • What I Like About Myself: I think I am coaching for the right reasons.
 
Miscellaneous Favorites
 
  • Heroes: Tom Landry, my parents, Jimmy Buffett.
  • Possession: The code to Brad Dunlay's garage.
  • Memento: Game ball from first win; ball from 2003 National Championship Game.
  • Magazines, Hardcopy or Online: Sports Illustrated, Mental Floss.
  • Gadget: Digital meat thermometer.
  • App: TVFoodMaps. This is a must for anyone who travels.
  • Music Type, Singer or Group: Jimmy Buffett.
  • Books: The Physics of Football by Timothy Gay, President Me by Adam Carolla, and SeinLanguage by Jerry Seinfeld.
  • Food: Anything grilled, and anything containing the words mahi-mahi.
  • Movies: Jaws, The Outlaw Josie Wales, and A Few Good Men.
  • Quote: "A goal without a plan is a wish."


 
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