Dan Koppen

Last updated

Dan Koppen
Dan Koppen at Hickham AFB 080207-F-8815B-106 crop.jpg
Koppen in February 2008
No. 67
Position: Center
Personal information
Born: (1979-09-12) September 12, 1979 (age 44)
Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school: Whitehall (Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania)
College: Boston College
NFL draft: 2003  / Round: 5 / Pick: 164
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:136
Games started:132
Fumbles recovered:6
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Daniel Koppen (born September 12, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a center for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.

Contents

Prior to entering the NFL in 2003, he played college football for the Boston College Eagles.

Early life and education

Koppen was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Kathy and Mike Koppen. He is the youngest of three children; his siblings are Chris and Leah. He later relocated to the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, where he attended Whitehall High School in Whitehall Township. The school was then one of 11 large Lehigh Valley high schools (since expanded to 18) that competed in the highly regarded Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, a high school division that has produced a large number of NFL and other professional and Olympic athletes.

At Whitehall, Koppen was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and track and field. As a junior in football, he was a Second-team All-Conference selection as an offensive lineman and defensive end. As a senior, he earned All-Area, All-East Penn Conference, and All-State honors, and was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player in the 1997 Kaylee Rotary Bowl. He was also a Prep Star All-American and a Big 33 selection in 1998, his senior season, in which he recorded 10 sacks on defense and scored eight touchdowns on offense. He also was selected to play in the 1998 McDonald's Lehigh Valley All-Star Classic game.

Whitehall High School later permanently retired Koppen's Whitehall jersey number (#77) in honor of his high school, collegiate, and NFL football accomplishments. In 2010, Koppen also was inducted into Whitehall High School's Hall of Fame. [1]

College career

Koppen attended Boston College, where he was a three-year starter at center for the Boston College Eagles football team. After spending his freshman season in 1999 as a reserve, Koppen closed out his sophomore year in the 2000 season with Second-team All-Big East Conference honors, was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list in 2001, and started every game at center and was named a Second-team All-Big East Conference selection for a second time in 2001.

As a senior in the 2002 season, Koppen was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which honors the best offensive center in college football, and received Second-team All-Big East honors for a third consecutive season.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		297 lb
(135 kg)		31+3⁄8 in
(0.80 m)		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		5.28 s1.80 s3.02 s4.56 s8.26 s28.5 in
(0.72 m)		8 ft 5 in
(2.57 m)		27 reps
All values from NFL Combine [2]

New England Patriots (2003–2011)

Koppen entered the 2003 NFL draft following college and was selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round with the 164th overall selection. [3] Koppen entered the 2003 season as the backup to Pro Bowl center Damien Woody; however, when Woody missed Week 2 with an injury, Koppen was given the opportunity to start his first NFL game for the Patriots. Woody returned the next week. But, following a season-ending injury to starting guard Mike Compton, the Patriots moved Woody to offensive guard and Koppen started the remainder of the 2003 season at center, including in the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVIII win over the Carolina Panthers. Following the season, Woody signed with the Detroit Lions, leaving Koppen as the Patriots' starting center. Koppen started all 16 games for the Patriots in 2004, where he was a member of the Patriots' 2004 Super Bowl-winning team, in which the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005.

After starting the first nine games in the 2005 season, Koppen was derailed by a shoulder injury he sustained in a November 13 game against the Miami Dolphins. He was placed on injured reserve following the game.

In the 2006 season, however, Koppen returned to his role as the Patriots' starting center. On October 12, 2006, the Patriots announced they had signed Koppen to a five-year, $20 million contract extension. [4] Koppen finished the 2006 season starting each of the Patriots' 16 regular season games. In the 2006 season, Koppen allowed only two sacks and committing only two penalties for the entire season.

In 2007, Koppen missed one game due to a foot injury, but started the other 15 games. For the 2007 season, he did not allow a single sack and helped lead the Patriots to the only perfect 16-0 season in NFL history. The following season, in 2008, Koppen was selected as a starter in the 2008 Pro Bowl, his first appearance in the game.

In both the 2009 and 2010 season, Koppen started all 16 games for each season. In the 2009 season, he was a member of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks (18) by a Patriots offensive line since the NFL's 1978 move to a 16-game schedule.

In August 2007, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said the following of Koppen:

Seeing the front seven, even sometimes the secondary rotation on a particular play...he does that very well and is on the same page with our quarterback...He's really good at that, probably as good as anybody I've ever coached. [5]

Koppen was named to the Patriots' All-Decade team for 2000s in 2010. In 2010, Koppen also again started all 16 games for the Patriots.

In a Week 1 matchup in the 2011 season against the Miami Dolphins, Koppen fractured his ankle. On September 21, he was placed on injured reserve.

Koppen was released on August 31, 2012 during the Patriots' final roster cuts prior to the 2012 season. [6]

For eight of Tom Brady's 20 years as Patriots' quarterback, Koppen was the Patriots' offensive center responsible for snapping him the ball. [7]

Denver Broncos (2012–2013)

Two weeks after being released by the Patriots, on September 10, 2012, Koppen agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos. [8] On July 28, 2013, Koppen suffered a torn ACL during training camp and missed the entire 2013 season. He announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2013 season.

NFL legacy

In addition to being a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2007, Koppen is believed to be the only NFL offensive center ever to have snapped to two of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady, during Koppen's 2003 to 2011 career with the Patriots, and Peyton Manning, during Koppen's career with the Broncos in 2012 and 2013. [9]

Post-NFL career

Koppen announced his NFL retirement following the 2013 season and was hired as an analyst for NBC Sports Boston. [10]

In March 2014, Koppen was hired as assistant football coach at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island. [11] In November 2018, he opened Linesider Brewery in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. [12]

Personal life

Amber Van Eeghen, Koppen's wife, was a New England Patriots Cheerleader for four seasons from 2002 until 2005 Amber van Eeghen.jpg
Amber Van Eeghen, Koppen's wife, was a New England Patriots Cheerleader for four seasons from 2002 until 2005

In 2007, Koppen was engaged to Amber Van Eeghen, a former New England Patriots Cheerleader and the daughter of Mark van Eeghen, a former running back for the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots. [13] They married in 2009 [14] and have three children. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New England Patriots</span> National Football League franchise in Foxborough, Massachusetts

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The Patriots play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Boston. The franchise is owned by Robert Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994. As of 2023, the Patriots are tied for the third most valuable sports team in the world and have sold out every home game since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quarterback</span> Position in gridiron football

The quarterback, colloquially known as the "signal caller", is a position in gridiron football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive platoon and mostly line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually considered the leader of the offense, and is often responsible for calling the play in the huddle. The quarterback also touches the ball on almost every offensive play, and is almost always the offensive player that throws forward passes. When the QB is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, it is called a sack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Brady</span> American football player (born 1977)

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 23 seasons. He spent his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and was a central contributor to the franchise's dynasty from 2001 to 2019. In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Belichick</span> American football coach (born 1952)

William Stephen Belichick is an American football coach. Widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches of all time, he holds numerous coaching records, including the record of most Super Bowl wins (six) as a head coach, all with the New England Patriots, along with two more during his time as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, for the record of eight combined total Super Bowl victories as coach and coordinator. A renowned American football historian, Belichick is often referred to as a "student of the game" with a deep knowledge of the intricacies of each player position. During his tenure with the Patriots, he was a central figure as the head coach and de facto general manager during the franchise's dynasty from 2001 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Liberty play</span> Trick play in American football

The Statue of Liberty is a trick play in American football named after, and resembling, the Statue of Liberty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russ Hochstein</span> American football player (born 1977)

Russ Hochstein is a former American football Center. After playing college football for Nebraska, he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played for the Buccaneers for two seasons from 2001 to 2002, the New England Patriots for seven seasons from 2002 to 2008, and the Denver Broncos for three seasons from 2009 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Light</span> American football player (born 1978)

Matthew Charles Light is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 11-year career as an offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers. He was picked by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Mankins</span> American football player (born 1982)

Logan Lee Mankins is an American former professional football player who was a guard for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the New England Patriots. After playing college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs, he was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He spent his final two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Selected to seven Pro Bowls and named a first-team All-Pro twice, Mankins was considered a premier guard in his 11 seasons in NFL, and was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damien Woody</span> American football player (born 1977)

Damien Michael Woody is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles. He was drafted as a center by the Patriots in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft with the 17th overall pick. During his pro career, he played every position on the offensive line. A Pro Bowl selection in 2002, Woody won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Welker</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

Wesley Carter Welker is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for 12 seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. Regarded as one of the greatest undrafted players of all time, he holds the NFL record for receptions by an undrafted player. Welker played college football at Texas Tech University, where he won the Mosi Tatupu Award and was a first-team All-Big 12 as a senior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh McDaniels</span> American football coach

Joshua Thomas McDaniels is an American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career in 2001 with the New England Patriots, where he served as the offensive coordinator for 14 non-consecutive seasons. During McDaniels' first stint as offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2008, New England set the season record for points scored and won 16 of their 16 regular season games in 2007. In his second stint from 2012 to 2021, the Patriots won three Super Bowl titles. McDaniels was also among the Patriots personnel to be present for all six of their titles during the Brady–Belichick era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manny Ramirez (American football)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Manuel S. "Manny" Ramírez is a former American football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine years. Ramirez was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech. He had also played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Widell</span> American football player (born 1965)

David Harold Widell, Jr. is a former American football guard and tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Boston College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 New England Patriots season</span> 46th season in franchise history

The 2005 season was the New England Patriots' 36th in the National Football League (NFL), their 46th overall and their sixth under head coach Bill Belichick. With a Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Patriots failed to either improve or match their 14–2 record from last season; they finished with a 10–6 record and the division title before losing in the playoffs to the Broncos, ending their hopes of becoming the first NFL team to three peat in the Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Wendell</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Ryan Robert Wendell is a former American football center who played his first eight seasons with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Fresno State. He has also played for the Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Gronkowski</span> American football player (born 1989)

Robert James Gronkowski is an American former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Nicknamed "Gronk", Gronkowski played nine seasons for the New England Patriots, then played his final two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he is a four-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time First Team All-Pro selection, and was selected in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Kline</span> American football player (born 1989)

Josh Kline is a former American football offensive guard. He played college football for Kent State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry</span> American football quarterback rivalry

The Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry was a series of games that took place between 2001 and 2015 involving two quarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL): Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. It is considered by many to be the greatest individual NFL rivalry of all time, and has been compared to other legendary sports rivalries, such as Magic-Bird in basketball, Ali-Frazier in boxing, and Messi-Ronaldo in association football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Andrews (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

James David Andrews is an American football center for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broncos–Patriots rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Broncos–Patriots rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Nowadays, the two teams do not play every year due to them playing in different intraconference divisions – Denver in the AFC West and New England in the AFC East; instead, they play at least once every three years and at least once every six seasons at each team's home stadium when their divisions are paired up, sometimes more often if they meet in the playoffs, or if the two teams finish in the same place in their respective divisions.

References

  1. ↑ "Center Dan Koppen to be into Whitehall High School Hall of Fame", NESN, January 23, 2010
  2. ↑ "Dan Koppen, Boston College, C, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com.
  3. ↑ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ Pasquarelli, Len (October 12, 2006). "Patriots reward center Koppen with five-year extension". ESPN.com . Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  5. ↑ Malloy, Daniel (August 8, 2007). "Calls a snap for Koppen". The Boston Globe . Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  6. ↑ Pepin, Matt (August 31, 2012). "Patriots cuts finalized: Hoyer, Branch, Koppen released". The Boston Globe . Boston: NYTC. ISSN   0743-1791 . Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Somebody had to snap Tom Brady the football in New England, and Dan Koppen made a living out of it then...and now", Sports Business Journal, February 14, 2022
  8. ↑ MikeReiss (September 10, 2012). "Former Patriots center Dan Koppen agrees to terms on 1-year deal with Broncos, source says". Twitter. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Somebody had to snap Tom Brady the football in New England, and Dan Koppen made a living out of it then...and now", Sports Business Journal, February 14, 2022
  10. ↑ "Somebody had to snap Tom Brady the football in New England, and Dan Koppen made a living out of it then...and now", Sports Business Journal, February 14, 2022
  11. ↑ "Former Patriot Dan Koppen joins Hendricken staff". providencejournal.com. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  12. ↑ Dzen, Gary (January 13, 2019). "Dan Koppen brings lessons from Bill Belichick to his brewing career". Boston.com . Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  13. ↑ "We hear". Boston Herald. November 1, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  14. ↑ KENYON |, PAUL. "Koppen is a beacon of stability for Patriots". providencejournal.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  15. ↑ Finch, Erika (September 15, 2016). "A home in Rhode Island for former Patriot Dan Koppen. He is now part of the Business Development team at SquadLocker.com". New England Home Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.