​​Coach Dan grew up near Atlanta, Georgia. He started swimming at a year-round club in Georgia at age 12. At age 17, he was certified as a Water Safety Instructor with the American Red Cross where he taught kids ranging from 2 to 15 years old. After high school he went on to swim on scholarship at the NJCAA level for Darton College in Albany, Georgia. In 2006, he finished 8th at NJCAA National Championships in the 200 Yard Backstroke. After two years in college, he decided to take his talents to the United States Marine Corps. He served two combat tours overseas: one to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Since leaving the Marine Corps he went on to finish his bachelor’s degree at Georgia Southern University and worked several sales jobs before settling in as a Swimming Coach for Randolph College. In addition to coaching at LAC with the Gators he remains the Head swimming coach at New Covenant schools as well as the Head Swimming Coach for Wildwood. He is happily married to Dr. Holly Turner, who is now practicing at F. Read Hopkins Pediatric Associates, and has two daughters Madelyn and Katelyn that both love to swim as well.