GREENVILLE, Pa.—President Troy D. VanAken, Ph.D., and Director of Athletics Jack Leipheimer ’74 announced Monday the hiring of Dan Blume as head football coach at Thiel College.
Blume spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for the NCAA Division II Mercyhurst University Lakers. The team’s linebackers coach the past four seasons, he has also served as special teams coordinator and a recruiting coordinator the past two seasons.
“We are happy to welcome Dan Blume to the Thiel College family,” said Leipheimer. “He was highly recommended. With his blend of coaching experience at multiple collegiate levels and playing career at Mount Union, we are confident he is the right person to lead our football program.”
In his four seasons at Mercyhurst, Blume coached nine All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West selections, including linebackers Joe Dever and Aaron McGee, who were first-team picks. The Lakers had three winning seasons and compiled a record of 28-16 during Blume’s tenure.
“I would like to thank President VanAken, Director of Athletics Jack Leipheimer and Associate Director of Athletics Amy Schafer for the opportunity to join Thiel College and the department of athletics,” Blume said. “I am excited for the opportunity to take over a program within the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. I look forward to building a tradition in which we develop young men who will be successful not only on the field, but in the classroom, in the community, and in their careers.”
Prior to his time at Mercyhurst, Blume spent two seasons as the defensive line coach at NCAA Division III Trinity (Conn.) College. With Blume assisting, the Trinity Bantams led the nation in 2011 in total defense, scoring defense and rush defense. In 2010, Trinity led the nation in rush defense.
Blume served as a defensive assistant with Division I Villanova University in 2008 and 2009. The Wildcats went 24-4 during his tenure and won the FCS National Championship in 2009.
Blume began his career at the University of Mount Union, his alma mater, as an assistant linebackers coach in 2006. He coached two all-conference linebackers during his two seasons as an assistant with the Purple Raiders. Mount Union made two appearances in the Stagg Bowl during his tenure and won the NCAA Division III national championship in 2006.
Blume was a linebacker with the Purple Raiders from 2002-05, where he was a part of the team’s NCAA Division III national championships in 2002 and 2005.
“I look forward to working with the faculty and staff at Thiel College,” said Blume, the 26th head football coach in Thiel College history. “I was very impressed with everyone I met during the interview process. Although this hiring comes at a time when most young men have already left campus for the holidays, I cannot wait for the start of the spring semester and meeting the members of the 2016 Thiel College football team.”
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Blume earned a master’s degree in recreation and sport sciences from Ohio University in 2012. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from the University of Mount Union in 2006.
Pictured above (L to R) are President VanAken, Blume and Leipheimer at a press conference held today in the Lutheran Heritage Room.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.