Daniel J. McClannahan
June 14, 2012
Daniel John McClannahan, 61, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center from heart failure. He was born August 9, 1950, to Gene and Joyce McClannahan in Logan, Iowa.
Daniel graduated from West Harrison High School in Mondamin, and earned his bachelor of science in physical education with a minor in economics from Morningside College in Sioux City. In the summer of 1972, he signed as a free agent for the New England Patriots and later began his long career as a football coach. Daniel was an assistant football coach for Morningside College and then for Cherokee Washington High School. Daniel found his home at Humboldt High School where he became the head coach and taught for 20 years. In 1999, he moved to Des Moines where he became the athletic director for Hoover High School. In 2010, Daniel began his new endeavor as the Wellness Center Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools.
Daniel had an ambitious and distinguished career. He took his teams to the Iowa High School 3A Football playoffs six times and won the North Central Conference three times. He was a current member of the Iowa Football Coaches Association Board of Directors, former President of the Iowa Football Coaches Association, assistant and head coach for the Iowa Shrine Football Game in 1991 and 1997, and current board member of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association. In 1998, Daniel was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Service Award for the Iowa Football Coaches Association in 2011.
Daniel will be remembered for his life off the field as well. He enjoyed teaching social studies and spending time with his family at the lake. Daniel was a member of the United Methodist Church, currently attending Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He was a self-motivated and dedicated man to his profession, his faith, and his family.
Daniel is survived by his wife of 39 years, Barbara; children, Megan (James) Abens and Andrew (Ana) McClannahan; grandchildren; Alexander, Dalia, Adeline, Elizabeth, and Manny; parents, Gene and Joyce McClannahan; brother, Don (Pam) McClannahan; sisters, Gleean (Don) Coates and Gena (Kevin) Gwin; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of other family and beloved friends.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 18, 2012, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3600 75th Street in Urbandale. A visitation will be held 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, June 17, 2012, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Per his wishes, his body has been cremated prior to visitation and services.
Memorial contributions may be given to the family to be designated at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Lisa (Witte) Meier - '94
06/15/2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathies to your family.
Dixie Long
06/15/2012
Barb, Megan and Andy. I am saddened for your loss. I was so lucky to be a part of your life. It seems so long ago but I have such good memories of those years. My heart and prayers are with you. Rest in peace Dan
Jim Milam
06/15/2012
Dan .. Was a Great friend and role model he will be missed. Heaven will never be the same, now that Dan has arrived to be with Larry and Vic!!
Bob Pattee
06/15/2012
A husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, gentleman and friend. Dan brought energy and positive influence to all things he did. My children were fortunate to have him as a coach and I cherish our friendship..we are better people because of Dan. You will be remembered as one of the best. Always a winner in all things.
Robert H. Christensen, ll (Hamilton's)
06/15/2012
Coach McClannahan, always a true gentleman and a very caring person. I have many, many fond memories of broadcasting Wildcat football and my Saturday morning Coaches Corner interviews with Dan. All he did was win in Humboldt. Thanks for the memories. My heartfelt sympathy to Barb and the family.
Maynard and Jane Welik
06/15/2012
We were saddened to hear of Dan's passing. I imagine Larry greeting him into heaven. He was a good man.
Andy Milam, Humboldt -'90
06/15/2012
Wisdom 3:1-9. That small bit of Scripture has seen me through a lot of passing and gives me hope that seeing Dan again is going to happen. Hope is a beautiful thing.
My deepest sympathies to the McClannahan's. But this is not the end.
And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
Jason Heinz, Humboldt - '88
06/15/2012
The older I get the more I am aware of how blessed I was to have the coaches that I did. While competing in middle school, high school & college, I never had a more positive coach than Dan McClanahan. I never had a coach that spent more time preparing than Dan McClanahan. And I never had a coach care any more about his players than Dan McClanahan. Blessed to have known him and to have called him Coach. Praying for the McClanahans' & Abens' families. P.S.- I also never had a coach that could kick the football as far as Dan McClanahan - WOW! :-)
Troy Kleese
06/15/2012
My road trips to Hoover games without Dan are not (and will not be) the same. Thankfully, I have all his stories and all of our memories to keep me company. Every time I hear the Monday Night Football theme (Dan's cell phone ring tone) I will chuckle and remember a great man who provided so much to so many. Thank you, Dan (and the entire McClannahan Family)!
Carol Sandblom
06/15/2012
Barb, Megan and Andy,
What an honor it was for me to know your loving husband and dad! I know you will miss him terribly but know that he left a positive mark on this earth. I wish you all Peace.
Timm Pilcher
06/15/2012
Like a father to me, seriously. When I was hired at Hoover 12 years ago, he and Bill McCullough were there, and, frankly, he scared the *** out of me. Here's this big guy, with hands the size of my head, and all I could imagine was that he ate people like me for breakfast. He shook my hand and said, "Welcome to Hoover," and, from then on, was one of my biggest supporters. We WILL miss you!
David and Gabe Long
06/15/2012
Very special man and a true believer in kids. Always gave you time and had a good word whenever you would see him. We feel honored that we could call him a friend, mentor and coach. May peace be with the McClannahan family and long live his legacy.
Jason Karaidos
06/15/2012
As I'm sure is the case with everyone, news of Dan's passing has come as a shock and doesn't feel like it's completely set in yet. I had the pleasure of having Dan as an AD while coaching at Hoover. He was always there for me and willing to help in any way he could. He was someone that truly cared about others. His impact on people will be his legacy. My prayers are with his family. He will be sorely missed.
Ken and Valerie Baker
06/15/2012
We are very sorry to hear of Dan's passing. Dan went out of his way (along with the entire McClannahan family) to welcome us to Humboldt when we moved there in 1993. It was a privilege to teach and coach with Dan for 5 years. He was a great mentor to me as a young coach. We offer our prayers and condolences to the family.
The Haywood Boston Family
06/14/2012
So very sorry to hear about Dan's death. Words can not express how he will be missed by many coaches, athletes, athletic directors and all the lives he has touched through sports. Dan you will be missed and not forgotten. Prayers and Thinking of the McClannahan Family as they get through life with out Dan.