Dan Sharp joined the Bulldogs as the assistant head coach and special teams coach on Sonny Cumbie's staff prior to the 2022 season.
In 2024, Sharp’s special teams units once again ranked among the nation’s best in multiple statistical categories. The Bulldogs led CUSA and ranked second in the nation in kick return defense, only allowing 58 yards on four returns. Tech recorded 54 touchbacks on 59 kickoff attempts. LA Tech ranked second in CUSA in kickoff returns, averaging 24.6 yards per return, with All-CUSA honorable mention return man Demarcus Griffin-Taylor leading the league with 583 yards. Kicker Buck Buchanan connected on four field goals from 40+ yards, with two of those makes coming from 50+. Buchanan tied the program record for longest make with a 57 yard kick on the road at NC State.
The Bulldogs led CUSA in punt return yards, racking up 402 yards, with Solo Lewis leading the league with 218 yards. Tech allowed just 67 punt return yards, which ranked second in CUSA. Punter Patrick Rea forced 22 fair catches, while landing 23 punts inside the 20 yard line. Rea connected on a 70-yard boot versus Nicholls, which is tied for the eighth-longest punt in program history.
Sharp’s special teams units were among the top in Conference USA in 2023. The Bulldogs led the conference and ranked second nationally in kick return defense with opponents averaging just 11.67 yards a return. Tech also led the conference in net punting (39.35) and ranked third in kickoff returns (19.24). The Bulldogs led the conference and were among the national leaders in touchbacks (17th, 50) and touchback percentage (7th, 81.97). Punter Blake Ochsendorf lead the conference and ranked 16th nationally in punting average (45.7) while also leading the conference in punts of 50+ yards (17) and ranking second in punts down inside the 20 yard line (18). Return specialist Smoke Harris led the conference in punt return average (8.4) and was just one of two punt returners to return a punt for a touchdown. Kicker Jacob Barnes connected on 12 of his 15 attempts to lead the conference in field goal percentage (80%).
Many highlights, occurred during the 2023 season under Sharp’s guidance. At UTEP, Smoke Harris returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown, marking the first punt return for a touchdown by a Tech squad since 2017. For the second-straight season the Bulldogs blocked a punt courtesy of Joshua Cobbs blocked punt at Jacksonville State that Michael Richard returned for a touchdown. Blake Ochsendorf’s 70-yard punt at Jacksonville State which tied for the eighth-longest in program history while kicker Buck Buchanan’s 53-yard field goal against Sam Houston was the fifth-longest in school history and the longest since 2017.
In 2022 Sharp oversaw a special teams unit that ranked second in Conference USA in kickoff return coverage (18.42) and third in kickoff return average (21.26). Under Sharp’s guidance, Smoke Harris led the conference and ranked in the top-10 nationally in punt return average (12.4, 6th) and kick return average (27.2, 7th) on his way to being named first-team all-conference as a return man. The Bulldogs kickoff unit was also impressive as kicker Buck Buchanan ranked third among all NCAA freshmen in kickoff yards (4,199) and fourth among all freshmen in touchbacks (34) while earning All-Freshman Conference USA Honors. As a team, Tech converted on 72% of its field goal attempts 97% of its point after attempts and blocked two kicks.
Prior to joining the La Tech staff, Sharp spent 21 years on Gary Patterson’s staff at TCU, serving as the special teams’ coordinator (2001-2014) and special teams coach (2015-2021).
“Dan brings over 30 years of experience to our players and coaches,” said Cumbie. “He has been in charge of some of the most well-coached, explosive special teams’ units I’ve seen. Dan is also one of the top talent evaluators and recruiters I’ve been around. His experience in both areas is second to none.”
With more than three decades of Division I coaching experience – 29 years at TCU in two separate stints and three years at Tulsa – Sharp brings a wealth of experience to the Bulldog program.
“I’m excited to be working with Sonny again and joining the Louisiana Tech program,” said Sharp. “Sonny’s enthusiasm and high energy are just two of the many things that make him a great coach. He’s got a great offensive mind, and I’m ready to get in there and start coaching with him.”
A 2005 inductee into the TCU Lettermen’s Association Hall of Fame, Sharp has served in a number of roles during his career at TCU (1990-97, 2001-21) and Tulsa (1998-2000), including as position coach for both the defensive line and tight ends.
As a special teams’ coordinator, Sharp coached numerous award-winning kickers, punters and returners at TCU, including the likes of Jaden Oberkrom (2012 Freshman All-American; Lou Groza semifinalist), Ethan Perry (2012 Freshman All-American), Greg McCoy (2011 All-American, Mountain West Special Teams POY), Jeremy Kerley (2010 All-American, Paul Hornung Award finalist), Nick Browne (2002 All-American, Lou Groza Award semifinalist, C-USA Special Teams POY) and Joey Biasatti (Ray Guy Award semifinalist).
His return units at TCU were always dangerous, including a streak of six of seven seasons that saw the Horned Frogs record at least one return for a score with multiple seasons of multiple TD returns.
In 2011, TCU was second in the nation in kickoff return average with a 28.2-yard mark as the Horned Frogs returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. TCU also boasted the Mountain West Conference’s first team all-return specialist all seven years it was in the league, including Greg McCoy, 2011; Jeremy Kerley, 2008-10; Brian Bonner, 2006-07; and Cory Rodgers, 2005.
TCU topped the nation in 2009 in kickoff return average with a 29.2-yard mark. The Horned Frogs had three special teams’ touchdowns.
As a position coach, he developed numerous all-conference, all-American and eventual NFL draft picks throughout the years.
Sharp was a tight end at TCU earning All-Southwest Conference and All-American honors while serving as team captain. He spent two years in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons before returning to TCU in 1988 as a graduate assistant. He received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from TCU in 1985 and his master’s in liberal arts in 1992.
Sharp and his wife, Cindy, both natives of Boerne, Texas, are the parents of two daughters, Alexandra and Andrea.
