Dakota Hermes enters his first season as the defensive line coach of the UW-Eau Claire Football team in the 2019-2020 season. 

Hermes previously was the defensive coordinator at Fond du Lac High School in Wisconsin. At Fond du Lac, the Cardinal defense ranked first in scoring defense in the VFA-South conference, allowing 147 points in 13 games and saw 9 players earn first team all VFA-south honors. 

Hermes, a former graduate of Kimberly High School (WI) who then went on to play defensive line for two seasons at UW-Oshkosh. During his time at UW-Oshkosh, Dakota was a member of the 2012 national semi-finalist team and lettered in 2012 and 2013. 

Following his playing career, Dakota began coaching high school football at Fond du Lac High School, serving as the defensive line coach for three seasons. Fond du Lac endured much success during Hermes' time coaching the defensive line, featuring 3 deep playoff runs and 2 VFA-South defensive lineman of the year recipients and 6 first team all conference defensive lineman.

After graduating from UW-Oshkosh with his bachelors of science in physical education, Dakota spent one year at Little Chute High School, coordinating the districts strength and conditioning program and coaching the defensive ends.