Updated 5/23/08

Dan Hammer enters his 13th season at the University of Delaware as an assistant coach with the baseball program in 2009 and his fourth as associate head coach.

He spent his first four years as a Blue Hen assistant under the leadership of legendary Blue Hen skipper Bob Hannah. He begins his ninth season as the program's top assistant in 2009 and is involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting and serving as both the infield and hitting coach. He also serves as co-director of the Blue Hen Baseball Camps conducted at the University of Delaware during the summers.

In 2003, Hammer was selected as an AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award recipient by a panel of judges from Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director Magazine. This award recognizes those coaches based on longevity, expertise, contributions to the school and community and special achievements throughout their careers.

Hammer, 38, has played an important part in the program's success since joining the staff in 1997. Delaware has posted a combined record of 373-244 (.605) since his arrival, winning four consecutive America East Conference titles and making four NCAA Regional Tournament appearances from 1998-2001.

In past seasons, the program has made a jump into the top 50 in the NCAA Division I RPI (Rated Percentage Index). In 2002, the program's first in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the Blue Hens finished the season with a record of 35-22, finishing with an RPI ranking of 45th in the country. In 2001, the team posted a record of 45-15 and advanced to the Columbus, OH Regional Tournament, finishing with an RPI ranking of 32nd in the country.

Regarded as one of the region's top infield instructors, Hammer has had several of his infielders drafted into professional baseball. In 2006, Delaware was among the top offensive teams in NCAA Division I, ranking No. 1 nationally in home runs/game, doubles/game, and slugging percentage. The team hit a school record 111 round-trippers along with 143 doubles. The 2007 team finished 32-23 and made its second CAA Championship game appearance in four seasons.

In all, 18 Blue Hens have gone on to play professionally during Hammer's 12 seasons as an assistant at Delaware, including current major leaguer Kevin Mench. Several others currently playing at the minor league level include Pete Maestrales (INF- Baltimore Orioles), John Schneider (C-Toronto Blue Jays), Brian Valichka (C-Texas Rangers), Reid Gorecki (OF-St. Louis Cardinals), Todd Davison (INF- Baltimore Orioles), Chad Kerfoot (P-Oakland A’s), Brent Gaphardt (P-Seattle Mariners), and Brandon Menchaca (OF-Cincinnati Reds).

A 1996 graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering technology and technical management, Hammer was a four-year letterwinning infielder for the Blue Hens.

He captained both the 1995 and 1996 squads and is currently in the top 10 all-time in several offensive categories at Delaware, including games played (203, 8th), at-bats (717, 10th), runs scored (217, 2nd), hits (258, 6th), doubles (62, 3rd), total bases (412, 8th) and walks (144, 3rd). He also finished his career as a Blue Hen with 26 home runs, a .360 overall batting average and a career on-base percentage of .536.

In 1996, Hammer was selected as the All-Tournament shortstop at the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament at Wichita State University after hitting .625 with two home runs and eight RBI in two games.

Hammer is a native of North East, MD, and graduated from North East High School in 1987. His wife, Jenni, is a 1990 graduate of North East High School and a 1994 graduate of West Chester University, where she earned her degree in elementary education. In 2000, she earned a master's degree in educational administration from Loyola College of Maryland. She is presently employed as an Elementary School Principal for Cecil County Public Schools in Cecil County, MD.

The couple resides in Elkton, MD, with their five-year old son, Luke and two-year old daughter Katy.