Daniel Da Prato

Biography

NOTABLE: - The 2026 season will be his first at Minnesota - Has more than 20 years coaching experience, including serving as the Interim Head Coach at USF - Has coached five All-Americans in his career and three Lou Groza Award semifinalists. Daniel Da Prato joined the University of Minnesota football staff as Special Teams Coordinator in late December 2025. Da Prato comes to Minnesota after serving as Associate Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at New Mexico in 2025. He has more than 20 years of coaching experience and is considered one of the best coaches for special teams. He has coached five All-Americans and three Lou Groza Award semifinalists. While with the Lobos, Da Prato coached numerous special teams standouts in kick returner Damon Bankston, kicker Luke Drzewiecki, punter Daniel Hughes and punt returner D.J. McKinney. Bankston was named All-Mountain First Team as he returned 12 kickoffs for 434 yards. He averaged 36.2 yards per return and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Drzewiecki made 18-of-19 field goals last season and Hughes averaged 45.4 yards per punt and recorded only two touchbacks as both were named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention. McKinney led New Mexico with five punt returns for 73 yards (14.6 average) and one touchdown. Prior to New Mexico, Da Prato spent the 2023-24 seasons at Texas State as the Associate Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator. In 2023, Texas State improved right away as the program led the entire country in total k