Dan Beard
LB Coach/STC, Millersville University In five seasons working with the two groups, Beard has helped develop some of the top linebackers in the PSAC, including Isaiah Onuschak, a three-time All-PSAC East performer, and Garrett Cox, who became Millersville's first All-American since 1998. In 2022, two of his linebackers earned All-PSAC.
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Dan Beard was named Millersville's special teams coordinator and linebackers' coach prior to the 2018 season.
In his five seasons working with the two groups, Beard has helped develop some of the top linebackers in the PSAC, including Isaiah Onuschak, a three-time All-PSAC East performer, and Garrett Cox, who became Millersville's first All-American since 1998. In 2022, two of his linebackers earned All-PSAC East honors. Beard's work with the special teams showed in punter Zach Banta being named all-region and setting a program record for punting average. The 2023 season was a banner campaign for the special teams unit as Banta earned All-PSAC East honors for a second time and recorded the longest punt in Millersville history. Kicker Trent McDowell tied a program record for the longest field goal, and Hakim Melvin returned two kicks for touchdowns. Beard was also published in the AFCA 2023 Technical Manual on" Tilt the Field on Special Teams: Teaching and Succeeding with Generation Z Special Teams Player"
After a four-year playing career at Shenandoah University, Beard quickly climbed the coaching ranks, working with programs at the Division III, Division II and Division I FCS levels.
Beard caught the eye of Millersville head coach J.C. Morgan's when the duo worked together at Shippensburg University. As a graduate assistant working with the defensive backs, Beard built for himself a reputation as a tenacious recruiter in Western Pennsylvania and Maryland, and contributed to one of the nation's best defenses in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.2 years as Defensive Backs Graduate Assistant also instructing the entire Kickoff Coverage Unit.
In 2016 he coached All PSAC East 1st Team CB Kevin Taylor as well as playing a vital role in coaching a Defense that Ranked #8th in the Nation in Turnover Margin Forcing 23 Turnovers , #10th in the Nation in Scoring Defense Allowing only 17 Points per. #12th in the Nation In Rushing Defense with a 94.8 Yard Average. Also, ranking #14th in the nation in both 1st downs Allowed as well as Defensive TDs with 4. Over a 6 week Consecutive Period Shippensburg’s Defense held opponents scoreless in the 2nd half and allowed a total of 187 Points over an 11 week Season. Shippensburg also tallied 14 Interceptions 2 returned for TDs , 9 Fumble Recoveries 1 returned for a TD , and a Safety. In 2016 Beard’s Kickoff Coverage Unit Ranked 34th Nationally in Division 2 with 65 total kickoffs , 12 touchbacks 34 Kickoffs pinning the opposing team inside the -25 Yard line with an average starting field position of the -22 while not allowing any scores and a Colin Williams forced fumble recovery for a TD against Clarion.
Beard was the special teams coordinator, defensive line coach and strength and conditioning coach for start-up program Alvernia. He made an immediate impact in recruiting. Responsible for York, Adams, Dauphin and Cumberland counties in Pennsylvania as well as counties in Maryland and Virginia and the state of Florida, Beard successfully recruited 26 student-athletes to a program that had not yet played a game. Beard also worked as the team's social media coordinator.
Beard also gained experience as a graduate assistant coaching linebackers at McDaniel College from 2013-15. he also worked closely with special teams and strength and conditioning. With the Green Terror, Beard instructed a group of linebackers that forced 14 turnovers and a safety while instructing an All-Centennial Conference performer during the 2013 season.
From 2011-13, Beard served as the outside linebackers coach and strength and conditioning co-coordinator at Allegheny College. Prior to graduating from Shenandoah with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2011, Beard interned with the strength and conditioning staff and James Madison University.
As a player, Beard played one season at fullback and three on the defensive side of the ball. He was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III First Team selection as well as a two-time All-USA South Conference All-Academic Team member. Following his senior year we has awarded the Walter Barr Unsung Hero Award. Beard earned a master's degree in exercise science and physical education from McDaniel in 2015 and a master's degree in organizational leadership development from Shippensburg in 2017. Beard played his high school football at Delone Catholic under Pennsylvania High School Hall of Fame head coach Dennis Frew.