Dan Carrel

Dan Carrel (born April 8, 1987) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the defensive coordinator for the Michigan Panthers (2022). After his playing career, Carrel has spent the majority of his coaching career coaching at the Division I college level
== Coaching career ==
=== Early career ===
Immediately following Carrel's college playing career, he spent some time as a strength and conditioning intern at University of South Carolina before returning to his alma mater as a graduate assistant working with linebackers and special teams. 
Carrel spent the 2013 season working as a quality control assistant with the offensive line at The Ohio State University. The Buckeyes would post a 12-2 record that year with appearances in the 2013 B1G 10 Championship game and the 2014 FedEx Orange Bowl.
In 2014 Carrel was hired by Mark Stoops as linebackers GA at University of Kentucky to work alongside then Kentucky Defensive Coordinator D.J. Eliot.
=== University of Houston ===
In 2015, Carrel was hired as the OLBs GA - serving as the OLBs coach at University of Houston, after a very successful two year run and Tom Herman's exit to the University of Texas Carrel was promoted to full time coach status on Major Applewhite's Inaugural staff. Carrel added the nickelbacks coaching responsibilities at that time. Carrel would serve as interim defensive coordinator for the end of Major Applewhite's final season as head coach in 2018. Carrel coached multiple draft picks in Tyus Bowser, Emeke Egbule and Grant Stuard. Carrel also coached Khalil Williams to second team all AAC as a nickelback. 
=== University of New Mexico ===
In 2019, Carrel joined Bob Davie’s staff at University of New Mexico coaching the inside linebackers. Carrel would coach Alex Hart to an honorable mention all Mountain West Conference season. Carrel also coached Mo Vainikolo who was 6th in the Mountain West in tackles for loss. MWC stats
=== University of Massachusetts ===
Carrel was hired by Walt Bell as inside linebackers coach at University of Massachusetts in 2020. After Bell was fired during the 2021 season Carrel would then serve as interim defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season. 
=== Michigan Panthers ===
In 2022, Carrel was hired by Jeff Fisher, as the Defensive Coordinator for the USFL Michigan Panthers. In 2022 the Panthers would finish with a 2-8 record, earning both victories over the Pittsburgh Maulers.The initial meeting was won by a score of 24-0, the only shutout victory of the 2022 USFL season. The Panther defense started off as one of the better units in the USFL (Surrendering the fewest PPG, fewest passing yards allowed and having best Red zone and 3rd down percentages through 5 games). However the success was not sustained and the defense would fall drastically in the 2nd half of the season. Positionally Carrel coached Frank Ginda who was second in the USFL in total tackles. 
== Personal life ==
Carrel and his wife, Jamontenae, were married in 2017 and have 3 sons: Rocco, Vito, and Leo. Carrel graduated from West Liberty University, Magna Cum Laude, as a dual-major in Health sciences and Physical education.
Category:1987 births
Category:American football coaches
Category:Houston football coaches
Category:Michigan Panthers football coaches