Dan Puckhaber came to St. Lawrence as the assistant coach for the offensive line and was promoted to offensive coordinator prior to the start of the 2012 season. He was named acting head coach in February, 2016, and earned the title of head coach after a national search in April, 2016. He enters his ninth season as head coach in 2024 with a 30-40 record.
In his first year as head coach, Puckhaber led the Saints to a 9-1 record and the team’s second consecutive Liberty League title. The nine wins were the most for the Saints since the 1982 team went 10-1. D3football.com ranked St. Lawrence 24th nationally.
Puckhaber has led the Saints to six of the most prolific offensive seasons in school history including a back-to-back Liberty Leagues titles in 2015 and 2016 and trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2015. The Saints were 32-9 from 2013-16 including a 23-5 mark in Liberty League games. In 2016, the Saints ranked second in the Liberty League in first downs and third down conversions and were nationally ranked in several defensive categories.
During the 2018 season, two different quarterbacks set program records and the team set program records for pass attempts, completions and yards both in a game and for the season. That momentum carried into 2019, as the Saints broke 14 school records, including passing yards, completions and attempts in a season, and touchdown receptions in a season.
Puckhaber was a four-year contributor at Ithaca College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in December of 2003. Following his collegiate career, Puckhaber worked with the Bombers as an assistant coach, directing the offensive line, linebackers and fullbacks. In the summer of 2006, Puckhaber played professionally for the Bolzano Giants of NFL Italy. His efforts at his alma mater and professional career landed him an offensive intern coaching position at Muhlenberg College in 2006. While at Muhlenberg, Puckhaber was responsible for all video work for the offense and special teams and coached the running backs.
A native of Eden, New York and graduate of St. Francis High School, Puckhaber is married to Barat Wolfe ’04 and resides in Canton with their son, Rasmus.
Â
