Albany State names Dan Land interim football coach

ALBANY — Albany State announced Friday afternoon that assistant football coach Dan Land has been named the interim head coach.

“We are pleased that Coach Land has accepted the position of head coach on an interim basis,” ASU athletics director Richard Williams said. “He is familiar with our program and has been a part of our many successes.

“We are confident he will do a stellar job for Albany State football during our continue search.”

Longtime Albany State coach Mike White announced his retirement on Wednesday, then was introduced as the new football coach at Benedict College on Thursday.

Land has served as an assistant coach for Albany State since 2002. During that time, he has coached the defensive backs and has been a part of six SIAC championships and 11 NCAA Division II playoffs appearances. Land has also coached numerous defensive backs who have been named to the SIAC all-conference and NCAA South Regional teams.

A former standout player at Albany State, Land joined the Rams football program as a running back in 1983 where he was a two-time SIAC team member. During his junior and senior seasons, Land accumulated 2,695 rushing yards and led the team and SIAC in rushing touchdowns.

In 1987, Land was drafted as a running back by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later played 10 years with the Oakland Raiders as a defensive back and completed his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

“Dan is a quality coach,” Williams said. “With his pedigree in the professional ranks and being an alumni, it only makes sense at this time.”

Albany State will launch a national search for its head football coaching position.