Dana McLaren begins her first year as an assistant coach for the Neosho County Community College Panthers. Dana started her playing career at Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas. She compiled at 25-8 record with an earned run average of 2.92 her sophomore year. She was twice named NJCAA pitcher of the week, while also being picked 1st team All-Region VI pitcher and 2nd team Conference Jayhawk West pitcher. In her time at Seward County, she helped the Saints to Regional and District Championships. Dana graduated from Seward County Community College in 2007 with an Associate of Science Degree in Biology. After Seward County, Dana continued with her softball career at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Both years she was the starting pitcher and also named captain. Dana graduated from East Central with Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science and a Minor in Biology in December 2009.
Prior to coming to Neosho County, Dana was the assistant coach for one year at Texarkana College where she primarily worked with the pitchers. In that time, she helped develop three, 2nd team all conference players. Dana started her coaching career at Latta High School, in Ada, Oklahoma, as an Assistant/Pitching Coach. She helped the Lady Panthers to a Regional Runner-Up season in the fall and an Oklahoma State Tournament berth in the spring of 2010. Dana is originally from Frontenac, Kansas and graduated from Frontenac High School.