Danielle Finlan enters her first season as the Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach at Bethany College in 2026.
Finlan joins the Bison after serving as the pole vault coach at West Liberty University for the past four seasons. During her tenure, she helped develop the 2023 Mountain East Conference Outdoor Pole Vault Champion, who went on to set two program records. Prior to West Liberty, Finlan spent the 2021-22 academic year at her alma mater, Wheeling University, where she coached the Mountain East Conference champion in both the women's indoor and outdoor pole vault competitions.
A native of Northeast Ohio, Finlan has also contributed to the development of student-athletes at Strongsville High School, assisting with the school's pole vault program.
As a student-athlete, Finlan enjoyed an accomplished collegiate career as a pole vaulter. She earned NCAA All-America honors, captured four Mountain East Conference championships, and received four U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region selections. She was also recognized three times as a USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Finlan excelled in the classroom. She was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and was honored with the Mountain East Conference Spring Senior Career Achievement Award in 2020. Before transferring to Wheeling University, she competed for two seasons at Notre Dame College.
Finlan graduated from Wheeling University in 2020 with degrees in nursing and exercise science. She resides in Wheeling with her husband, Michael, Bethany College's head baseball coach, and their dog, Willow.
