Joe Danna

Biography

Entering his 11th year as a coach, Defensive Assistant Joe Danna continues to add to his resume as he enters his second season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Danna worked along side Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder last season as the Falcons defense witnessed the emergence of some young players. Rookie LB Curtis Lofton logged 108 tackles, two passes defensed, one sack and one forced fumble in 16 games and garnered All-Rookie honors from Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly for his efforts. Danna worked closely with Linebackers Coach Glenn Pires in ’08 and will work with the cornerbacks in 2009.

After lettering all four years as a wide receiver at Central Michigan University, Danna served as a Student Assistant (1999) and Graduate Assistant (2000) for his alma mater. In 1999, he coached with current Falcons Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder for the Chippewas. Two years later, Danna and VanGorder crossed paths again, this time at the University of Georgia where Danna served as a Graduate Assistant. At Georgia, he worked with NFL defensive backs, Jermaine Phillips (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Sean Jones (Philadelphia Eagles).

Danna has spent the majority of his coaching tenure at Central Michigan where he rejoined the team in 2002 as the Wide Receivers Coach. From 2003-04, he moved to the defensive side of the ball and coached the safeties before moving back to his original position in 2005. During that ’05 season, the Chippewas improved their record by four wins from their 2003 record (2-9). Danna also coached the likes of defensive back James King who was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2005 and wide receiver Damien Linson who spent time on the Baltimore Ravens roster.

In 2006, Danna coached the defensive backfield for Georgia Southern University under VanGorder who spent the season as the Head Coach of the Eagles. The following year, Danna coached the same position for the James Madison Dukes as the team reached the first round of the postseason. Danna was also responsible for guiding Tony Lezotte who graduated the university as a four-time All-America selection.

A native of Midland, Michigan, Danna graduated from Midland High School and was an all-state selection in football while participating in basketball and baseball. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Social Sciences with a Language Arts minor from Central Michigan. Danna followed the footsteps of his father who was a Head Coach at Michigan Tech University and Northwood University, both Division II schools.

Danna and his wife, Nicole, have two sons, Luke (two), and Zack (one). He enjoys spending time with his family in his spare time.

Joe Danna's Coaching History

• 2008-2009 -- Defensive Assistant // Atlanta Falcons
• 2007 -- Defensive Backs Coach // James Madison University
• 2006 -- Defensive Backs Coach // Georgia Southern University
• 2005 -- Wide Receivers Coach/Special Teams Assist. // Central Michigan University
• 2003-2004 -- Safeties Coach/Special Teams Assist. // Central Michigan University
• 2002 -- Wide Receivers Coach/Special Teams Assist. // Central Michigan University
• 2001 -- Graduate Assistant // University of Georgia
• 2000 -- Graduate Assistant // Central Michigan University
• 1999 -- Student Assistant // Central Michigan University