Residents of #DCWildcatNation: Dan Dolan

11/13/2020 10:00:00 AM

Throughout the fall semester, daemenwildcats.com will feature profiles on the "residents of #DCWildcatNation" to introduce you to the coaches, administrators and athletic trainers at Daemen College. These dedicated professionals work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Daemen's place as Western New York's Premier Division II Team. Today's featured staff member is Dan Dolan, head women's soccer coach.

DAN DOLAN QUICK BIO

Dan Dolan is the longest-tenured coach in the history of the Daemen women's soccer program. Now in the midst of his 12th season at the helm, Dolan is the program's all-time leader in coaching wins, amassing a 99-90-11 since taking the reins in 2009.

The veteran mentor has presided over the only regular season conference championship in program history, three trips to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championships and most recently, the program's ascent to NCAA Division II and the East Coast Conference. The 2019 campaign was Daemen's most successful since making the transition as Dolan guided the group to an 11-4-3 overall record, a 4-2-2 mark in ECC play and the program's first NCAA tournament berth. The Wildcats were awarded an at-large bid to the big dance, entering as the number eight seed in the East Regional. Although their season came to end in the opening round against top-seeded St. Rose, the tournament berth was a milestone moment for both Dolan and his program.

Before arriving at Daemen, Dolan spent one year as the lead assistant coach at Niagara University where he helped lead the Purple Eagles to a 12-6-1 record. Prior to coaching at Niagara, Dolan spent the previous six years as head coach of the boys' varsity soccer team at Cardinal O'Hara High School, where he also coached the girls' varsity team in 2004.

QUESTION & ANSWER

A: I was born and raised in North Tonawanda, a suburb about halfway between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. I lived there until New Year's Eve of 2013, and I've happily lived in Amherst ever since.
A: Playing sports every day with friends in the front yard or backyard at my parents' house. Street hockey, basketball, soccer, football, you name it and we played it.

A: Michael Jordan for sure, because of his sheer greatness on the court and the way he carried himself off of it. He was the ultimate competitor. I had so many posters, action figures and magazines of him in my room.
A: I like to follow the stock market. I got hooked during my senior year of high school in economics class, and it's something I still pay attention to daily. I love numbers and statistics so the market is definitely something that takes up a lot of my free time. I also enjoy being active, camping, traveling and learning. I love to learn a lot about random stuff. I'm on YouTube way too much.
A: Sadly, I'm not married, but these questions feel very much like online dating.

A: I was a youth leader for the North Tonawanda Recreation Department for a few years. I loved my boss, had amazing co-workers and looked forward to working with kids every day.
A: To be honest, it was something that I always thought about since my first coaching experience. It was the summer going in my junior year of high school and I had the opportunity to coach a youth team. Ever since then, I've always had ambitions to work with college athletes.
A: It's a tie between spring and fall. The weather at those times is great and waking up early for club soccer tournaments and college practices and games are always things I look forward to. There really isn't anything better.

A: I have many mentors throughout the soccer world, but locally I would say Tom Garigen, Mark Spacone, Peter Veltri, Art Jaspe and Jeff Lewis all really shaped the way I coach today. I learned a lot on how to lead, motivate and get the best out of people from them. They didn't teach by yelling, sreaming and putting people down. They were open to communication, honest, caring, empathetic, passionate and wanted to see you succeed both on and off the field. I've tried to mold myself after them and I continue to strive to be better in those areas every day.
In a broader sense, I've read many books by Sir Alex Ferguson and Anson Dorrance. I grew up loving basketball, so Phil Jackson and Mike Krzyzewski always interested me because of their success. Even if I didn't like Duke growing up, I did respect Coach K very much.
A: I don't think I have anything specific, but I've learned a lot from my parents and coaches on how to be a leader and a good person. I try to pass on any advice and knowledge I can to others.
A: I'd probably be a day trader, again, because of my interest in the stock market. Or, maybe I'd be a physical education or history teacher.

A: The Buffalo Bills more than other team. Manchester United, the Buffalo Sabres, Notre Dame football and North Carolina basketball are just under that. I also love rooting for our local college sports teams.
A: I've been very fortunate to travel a lot, but in 2014 I was able to go to Italy to coach a boys soccer team representing the United States. We had juniors and seniors that were from all over the country. It was an amazing experience and we finished in third place. The coaching alone was memorable, but learning about the history, seeing all the churches, statues, Roman Colosseum and soccer stadiums was something I will never forget. I would love to go back again.
A: I've always wanted to go to England. I came close to going a couple times, but unfortunately it never came to fruition. I hope to get there soon. The history intrigues me a lot, and I would love to see the architecture, the pubs, plus tour a bunch of soccer stadiums and catch a few games.

A: First would be my grandpa. All of my grandparents passed away before I finished sixth grade. I would probably ask a lot of family questions and what it was like to grow up in Western New York in the 1930's and 1940's. I also wouldn't mind talking to Gandhi, Jesus, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla to name a few. I really enjoy listening and learning from those who thought on a higher level than most other people.
A: I really don't have any fears, but I can tell you that I don't like snakes.
A: I don't really have one. I'm a terrible singer, so I guess whatever comes on.
A: I would love to backpack through Europe. I would also love to take a summer and drive an RV across the country, maybe when I retire.
A: I have no clue how, but somehow I'm related to Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln. That's definitely interesting to me.

MORE RESIDENTS OF #DCWILDCATNATION FEATURES

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