Haverhill, MA (August 3, 2026) – Northern Essex Community College Director of Athletics Dan Blair has announced the hiring of Dan Briand as the Knights’ Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach, effective Monday August 10th.
Briand will arrive at NECC with nine years of collegiate head coaching and administrative experience and 15 total years of collegiate coaching under his belt. Most recently, he spent nine seasons as head coach at Anna Maria College, where he was the program’s all-time wins leader with 163. His teams qualified for the postseason each season with the exception of the COVID-shortened season in 2020. Additionally, he guided three players to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year honors along with two GNAC Pitchers of the Year and three Rookies of the Year.
Further, he guided 16 players to D3Baseball.com All-Region, 10 Rawlings/ABCA All-Region, 44 All-Conference selections, while 74 student-athletes earned Academic All-Conference honors, while making eight post-season appearances in his nine seasons with the Amcats.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Dan Briand to the Knight family. We had a highly competitive applicant pool and Dan quickly rose to the top. He brings great experience with him as a collegiate head coach, and I have no doubt he will continue our tradition of success. He came highly recommended and everyone I spoke to raved about how much his players enjoy playing for him,” commented Blair.
On the administrative side, Briand served at Anna Maria as equipment manager, student employee supervisor, and event manager for home football and hockey games.
“I’m so appreciative of the opportunity to lead the Knights baseball program and join the department as an assistant athletic director. Thank you to Athletic Director Dan Blair, President Glenn, Vice President McCarthy and the entire hiring committee for entrusting me to be the leader of this storied program,” added Briand.
Prior collegiate coaching stints for Briand included two years each Becker, Roger Williams and Fitchburg State.
Briand is a graduate of Becker College, where he was a four-year member of the baseball program, including a two-time captain while also earning First Team All-Conference honors as a senior in 2009.
Learn more about athletics at NECC by visiting the website.
