Hannibal-LaGrange University

Dan Hurst begins his 20th year coaching the Lady Trojans Softball program beginning in 2001. He was also the HLGU Head Women’s Volleyball Coach from 2001-2006.  He also serves HLGU as an assistant professor and chair of the Physical Education Department. In 2018, Coach Hurst won his 300th softball game at HLGU and currently has accumulated 328 victories.  Since being at the helm of the softball program, the Lady Trojans have had 20 players selected all-conference first team, an average of 15 academic all-conference players each year, 32 NAIA All American Scholar-Athletes, and the Lady Trojans have earned the NAIA Team Scholar Award every year it has been in existence. Coach Hurst considers his greatest coaching experience, which spans 20 years, is the opportunity to develop Christian character traits in those associated with the HLGU softball program.

Coach Hurst was born in Gary, Indiana, graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1975, where he played football and baseball. He continued his education and athletic career in both sports at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO, receiving his bachelor's of education degree in 1979. From 1979-2001, Hurst taught and coached for the Palmyra Public School District in Palmyra, MO. During that time, he taught physical education and health in the high school and middle school. Hurst served as head football coach for 14 years, junior varsity girl's basketball coach for 22 years, head boys track coach for 14 years, and head softball coach for eight years. In 1999, Hurst received his Master of Education degree from Northwest Missouri State University.