THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Thomas University Athletic Director Jessica Sanders has announced Dan Pippin as the next head football coach.
"Coach Pippin is the kind of leader we want at Thomas University. He is an incredibly hard worker who believes in developing student-athletes both on and off the field. His passion for this university and his vision for our football program makes him a great fit for our community. We are excited about the future of Thomas University Football under his leadership.", said Sanders.
Prior to joining the Night Hawks staff, His collegiate and professional career also includes multiple seasons coaching internationally with head coaching roles with he Lazio Ducks (2020–2022) in Rome, Italy, the Hungarian National Team of American Football (2022), the Lübeck Cougars (2023) in Germany, and most recently Pippin served as head coach of the Bialystok Lowlanders of the Polish Football League from 2024-2025.
Domestically, Pippin held the title of Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach at fellow SUN Conference member Webber International University in 2023. He spent the 2021 season as offensive coordinator at Rochester Community and Technical College, where his offense ranked second nationally in rushing and placed in the top five in several major offensive categories. Five players earned all-conference recognition under his leadership.
Before coaching at the collegiate and professional levels, Pippin compiled a distinguished 30-year high school coaching career across Ohio, Michigan and South Carolina. He served 24 years as a head coach at Tawas Area (1996–2000), South Aiken (2000–2006), North Augusta (2006–2013), and Greenwood (2013–2019), amassing a career record of 170–93. He has been honored as Region, State and National Coach of the Year, and more than 124 of his former players have gone on to play college football, including five who reached the NFL. Pippin currently sits at 189 career head coaching wins overall across all levels.
A 1990 graduate of Saint Joseph's College, Pippin was a three-year starter and team captain as a senior. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and a Master's Degree in Divergent Learning.
Pippin expressed excitement about leading the program. "Laura and I are very excited about being a part of Thomas University," Pippin said. "We have grown to love the town of Thomasville, Thomas University and most importantly the players. We are thrilled to be a part of the Thomas Family." He added, "This is an unbelievable opportunity for us and we look forward to getting to work. The focus of the football program will be to help the players be the best possible men they can be on and off the field."
Dan and his wife Laura have three children, one son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters.
