An outpouring of love and remembrance is visible across Sul Ross State University and Alpine after news of the passing of Dan Dunagan.

The longtime Sul Ross supporter, coach and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday.

"We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Brother Dan," said athletic director Amanda Workman. "He has been an integral part of the Sul Ross Athletic Department and has had a tremendous impact on our student-athletes and coaches for years. He has spent countless hours mentoring, counseling, encouraging and providing spiritual guidance. He will be greatly missed."

More commonly known as Brother Dan, he was a staple of Sul Ross and Alpine for more than 30 years.

"He was a respected member of our football team, community and our team chaplain," said interim head football coach Barry Derickson. "He was a former Lobo player, former Lobo football coach, Hall of Honor inductee at Sul Ross and friend."

Dunagan received his Bachelor of Arts in Business in from Sul Ross 1974 and went on to manage Big Bend Coca-Cola Bottling Company for the next several years.

In 1993, Brother Dan became director of the Sul Ross Baptist Student Ministry, holding the position until 2007. He served as huddle leader for the Sul Ross chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for the past five years, leading several groups on mission trips to Alaska where student-athletes participated in coaching youth basketball camps.

"I think he needed Sul Ross more than Sul Ross needed him," said former head football coach John Pearce, who worked alongside Dunagan for a number of years. "He was a proud Lobo that loved our school and all of our student-athletes."

He served as offensive line coach in 2012, helping to guide the Lobos to the number one offense in the nation in all three NCAA divisions.

"Brother Dan epitomized Christian principles of caring for and doing for others," said President Pete P. Gallego. "A former SRSU college athlete, he was a tremendous source of help and inspiration to all SRSU student-athletes who followed him. His passing leaves a giant hole on our campus. He will be sorely missed, and his presence here will never be forgotten."

To the student-athletes, Brother Dan was a tireless supporter of all athletic programs. He covered countless miles driving buses for teams and was a frequent attendee at all 12 of Sul Ross' athletic programs, often leading prayer before games.


From Those He Inspired

Student-athletes and coaches took to social media to reflect on the great impact Brother Dan had at Sul Ross.

"A true inspiration that will forever leave a legacy engraved in my heart," remarked former men's basketball player Tristen Licon. "Thank you for allowing myself and others to walk alongside you in the remarkable life you lived and the way you served all you came in contact with."

"Brother Dan, thank you for all the great advice when I was a player," said head women's soccer coach John Dominguez. "Lost for words with this one."

"RIP to a beautiful soul," said current football player Ryan Ochoa. "Forever grateful for all the prayers he shared with us."

"Lost for words," said former women's soccer player Britney Berumen. "Rest in Peace Brother Dan, you have left a big mark on Sul Ross."

"Going to miss your prayers before road trips, the talks we shared while eating on those trips and the handshakes on Sunday mornings," said baseball coach Bobby Mesker. "You filled your life with family, Lobos and Jesus Christ. But God needed a 5-star recruit when he called you home."


Brother Dan's legacy lives on forever at Sul Ross State University. His devotion, commitment and lasting impact hangs in the halls of the Pete P. Gallego Center after being inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor as part of the class of 2020.