Inducted 2024
Date of Birth
12/29/1946
Birthplace
Mavisdale, VA
Schools
Bloomsburg University (1993-2012)
West Chester University (1984-1988)
Bio
One of the winningest coaches in Division II history, Danny Hale won an astounding 75.4% of his games during a 25-year head coaching career that included a 20-year stint at Bloomsburg University (PA) and began at West Chester University (PA) in 1984. At Bloomsburg, Hale posted a record of 173-56-1 (75.4%) and holds the school record for most coaching victories. Overall, in 25 years as a head coach, he had a mark of 213-69-1 (75.4%) and ranked among the top five active coaches in NCAA Division II in winning percentage and victories at the time of his retirement. In his 20 seasons as head coach at Bloomsburg, Hale led the Huskies to 11 outright or shared Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division titles and eight NCAA postseason playoff berths. In his final 13 seasons (2000-2012), Bloomsburg was one of the most successful NCAA Division II programs with a combined record of 121-32 (79.1%). He guided the Huskies to seven 10-win seasons. Hale was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) District I Coach of the Year nine times, the third-highest total in AFCA history and twice winning the honor in consecutive seasons (2000 and 2001 and 2005 and 2006). He was named the PSAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year 10 times, including four-straight times from 1994 to 1997 and back-to-back years in 2005 and 2006. Hale's most memorable season came in 2000 as the Huskies advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. After losing the first two games of the season, Bloomsburg rattled off 12 consecutive victories. In the national semifinals, the Huskies rallied from 19 points down to stun UC-Davis, 58-48, to advance to the title game for the first time in program history. At West Chester, Hale went 40-13 (75.5%), won three PSAC East titles, and advanced to the NCAA playoffs in 1988. Prior to West Chester, Hale was an offensive line and defensive coordinator at Colgate from 1981 to 1983. He was also the offensive line coach at Bucknell from 1975-80 and was defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Vermont in 1974.
Stats
Wins 213
Losses 69
Ties 1
Career Highlights
- 2008 AFCA District Coach of the Year (10th Time)
- 2006 Conference Coach of the Year (10th Time)
Class of 2024
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