A three-year starter at defensive back for the Cougars, Dan D’Avanzo will begin his seventh season on sidelines for Kean as the defensive backs coach and is now in his fifth season as the special teams coordinator.

The Cougars have regularly ranked among the national leaders in interceptions and in special team categories over the last several years.  In 2011, Kean averaged 24.2 yards per return, good first first in the NJAC and fifth in all of Division III.  In addition, they tallied 20 interceptions, good for eighth in the division rankings.  In 2010 the Cougars picked off their opponents 19 times to rank tied for second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, while the Cougars ranked second in the NJAC in kickoff coverage.  In 2009, the Cougars had 17 interceptions to lead the NJAC, while the kickoff return average of 23.4 yards per return led the conference and ranked 10^th in the nation. 

D’Avanzo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and health teacher certification from Kean in 2007 and is currently finishing up his master’s degree in exercise science at Kean.