Dan Blume will begin his fourth season with Mercyhurst after joining the staff in March of 2012 as linebackers coach. Blume is also a recruiting coordinator.
Last season, linebackers Joe Dever and Garrett Wild, under Blume’s guidance, were chosen to the All-PSAC West Second Team. Dever finished with 66 total tackles and led the team with nine tackles for a loss while Wild finished with 47 stops, 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, and two blocked kicks.
In 2013, Blume guided linebackers Pat Behm and Dever to breakout campaigns. Behm led the Lakers in tackles with 71 and was named an All-PSAC West Second Team selection. Meanwhile, Dever finished with 56 total stops and ranked fourth on the team with seven tackles for a loss.
In his three seasons at Mercyhurst, Blume has coached one All-PSAC West First Team selection and three Second Team choices.
Prior to joining the Lakers’ staff, Blume spent two seasons as the defensive line coach at Trinity College. During his tenure, Blume helped guide four different Bantams to six All-Conference distinctions. With Blume’s assistance, the Trinity defense thrived, leading the nation in numerous statistical categories. In 2011, the unit finished first in the nation in scoring defense (8.13 ppg), rushing defense (53.63 ypg), and total defense (195.5 ypg). During the 2010 season, the Bantams again flourished in stopping the run leading the nation in rushing defense and allowing opponents just 45.5 yards per game on the ground.
During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Blume coached the linebackers at Villanova and served as a defensive assistant. In his time at Villanova, the Wildcats compiled a 24-4 record and won the 2009 FCS National Championship.
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native began his coaching career in 2006 as an assistant at the University of Mount Union. Blume served as assistant linebackers coach for the 2006 National Championship team. In 2007, Blume took over duties as a linebackers coach, producing two all-league players, and helped guide Mount Union to a 14-1 record, only losing in the NCAA Division III National Championship.
Blume played collegiate football at the University of Mount Union where he was a linebacker for the 2002 and 2005 NCAA Division III National Champions and the 2003 NCAA Division III Runners-Up. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Health Education from Mount Union in 2006. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Science from Ohio University in 2012.
Blume is the son of Vicki and John and has one brother named Zack, who currently serves in the United States Army.
