Lebanon Valley College Athletics

Dan Beard joined the Lebanon Valley College football team's coaching staff in the spring of 2026. He serves as the Special Teams Coordinator, an Academic Co-Coordinator, and the Linebackers Coach, while working with the kickers. Beard is the Home Junior Varsity Coach as well. 

Beard came to LVC after spending the 2025 campaign as the Linebackers Coach at Gettysburg College, where he coordinated the program's special teams as well. The Bullets blocked five kicks that season, ranking in the top 30 in the nation. Beard also served as the Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Division II Millersville University for six seasons. In this role, he guided linebacker Garrett Cox to All-American honors and linebacker Isaiah Onuschak to three All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East selections. On special teams, Beard helped punter Zach Banta earn All-Region accolades and two All-PSAC East honors, while setting the single-season program record for punting average and the record for the longest punt in school history. As the Academic Coordinator for Millersville Football, he fostered a culture that emphasized academics. Marauder student-athletes earned 10 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District and two CSC Academic All-America awards during Beard's tenure.  
 
Before his stint at Millersville, Beard was the Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Alvernia University while the program was being established. He also played an integral role in recruiting the team's first class. Beard launched his college coaching career as the Outside Linebackers Coach and Strength and Conditioning Co-Coordinator at Allegheny College, before joining the staff at McDaniel College and Shippensburg University as a Graduate Assistant. At Shippensburg, he contributed to the team leading NCAA Division II with a plus-20 turnover margin (1.82 per game) in 2015. The Raiders also ranked eighth in the nation in turnovers forced in 2016.  
 
Beard played college football at Shenandoah University, where he was a fullback for one season and a defensive player for three years. During his career, he was recognized as an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III First Team honoree and a two-time member of the All-USA South Conference All-Academic Team. Beard also received the Walter Barr Unsung Hero Award at the conclusion of his senior year.  
 
Beard graduated from Shenandoah with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2011 and interned with James Madison University's strength and conditioning staff while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He earned a master's degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education from McDaniel in 2015 and a master's in Organizational Leadership Development from Shippensburg in 2017. Additionally, Beard is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Shenandoah.  

The Hanover, Pennsylvania native played his high school football at Delone Catholic under Dennis Frew, a Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer. Beard’s father, Joel Beard, was a longtime Assistant Football Coach at Randallstown High School in Maryland and won State Titles in 1984 and 1990 as a Defensive Coordinator. He was presented the John W. Voight Assistant Coach Award by the Maryland Football Coaches Association at the 2026 Maryland High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame induction ceremony.