Meet Boise State's Dan Hawkins

In his four years guiding the Bronco program, Hawkins' overall record is 44-6 for an 88.0 winning percentage.

His record in the WAC, which includes three undefeated championship seasons (2002, 2003 and 2004), is 30-2 for a 93.8 winning percentage.

Under Hawkins, the Broncos again produced one of the top offenses in the country. Heading into the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Boise State is second in the country in both scoring offense and total offense. The Broncos are averaging a school-record 49.73 points per game and if they can beat Louisville by seven or more points in the bowl game the Broncos will lead the country in scoring for the third straight season and the fourth time in five years. The Broncos are also averaging 511.64 yards per game (second most in school history), while ranking 11th in rushing defense with 242.73 yards per game (second most in school history), 14th in passing offense with 268.91 yards per game, and 11th in pass efficiency with a rating of 150.20.

All-around excellence is a sign of a Dan Hawkins team. Not only do the Broncos excel on offense, but they are among the nations best in defense and special teams as well. In 2004 team finished the regular season ranked fourth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 83.45 yards per game. On special teams, the Broncos were fourth in punt returns (16.62 yards per return), 19th in kickoff returns (22.90 yards per return), and 22nd in net punting (38.00 yards per punt).

Hawkins' success was recognized at the conference and regional level in 2002 when he was selected the WAC Coach of Year, and the Co-Coach of the Year for Region 4 by the American Football Coaches Association. Hawkins tied with University of Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops.

Hawkins arrived at Boise State after winning 77.9 percent of his games as the head coach at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. From 1993-1997, Hawkins guided the Bearcats to a 40-11-1 record, including a runner-up finish for the NAIA National Championship in 1997.
Following the 1997 season, he was named District Five Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, as well as earning a third straight conference coach of the year award. Willamette was co-conference champion in 1995, and in 1996 won the out right conference title finishing the season with a number seven ranking nationally.

Hawkins spent time as both an offensive and defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach at Willamette. In 1992, he was in charge of the Sonoma State University defense. From 1988-91, Hawkins was the offensive coordinator at the College of the Siskiyous (Calif.), helping lead the team to the Golden Valley Conference championship in 1991.
A University of California-Davis graduate, Hawkins began his coaching career with his alma mater, serving as head freshman and varsity linebackers' coach. After three years at Cal Davis, he served as head coach at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento for the 1986 and 1987 seasons.

Best Coach
Dan Hawkins, Boise State -- Fresno's Pat Hill isn't too far behind, but Hawkins is the standard by which other WAC coaches are currently judged. No one quite knew how the program would react after current Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter resigned following the 2000 season, but Boise has actually been better the past four years. Under Hawkins, the Broncos are 44-7, winning 26 straight league games and finishing in the Top 15 in back-to-back-to-back seasons.