Westmoreland native promotion

Herb Hand, who was born in Westmoreland, was promoted to Co-Offensive Coordinator for the University of Central Florida Football team.

Hand’s love for football began at a young age. He was a three-year starter at Hamilton College where he played offensive line, and was a team captain his senior season.

Hand takes on his new Co-Offensive Coordinator role with two decades of coaching experience under his belt. According to the University of Central Florida website, Hand started his career in 1991 at West Virginia Wesleyan serving as graduate assistant coach and worked his way up to schools like Penn State, Auburn, and Texas.

He has produced a number of professional players like New York Giants running back, Saquon Barkley and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Lineman, Donovan Smith.

Hand joined the UCF coaching staff in February 2021 and is in his third season. The University refers to him as one of the top offensive line coaches in the nation because all five of his UCF starters earned postseason honors in both the 2021 and 2022 season. UCF was the only American Athletic Conference team to have all five starters recognized by Pro Football Focus in both seasons, according to the University’s website. 

 Hand and his wife, Debbie, have two sons and a daughter.