WVU Sports Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2017

Written by Mike Montoro

Dan Mozes, a four-year starter from 2003-06, was one of the best offensive linemen ever at WVU and helped lead the Mountaineers to one of the greatest periods in WVU football history.

A native of Washington, Pennsylvania, Mozes was one of the main cogs of an offensive line that led WVU to a 38-12 overall record, 22-5 mark in the Big East, three conference championships, four bowl appearances, including the first BCS bowl appearance and win in the school’s history (38-35 win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl).

As a senior in 2006, Mozes won the Rimington Trophy, signifying the nation’s best center, and became the first player in school history to win a national player of the year honor. He earned consensus All-America honors, one of 11 Mountaineers in school history to do so. Mozes earned All-America first team honors from the AFCA, FWAA, Walter Camp, Sporting News, AP, ESPN, Rivals and Scout. He was one of 12 Lombardi Award semifinalists and an Outland Trophy finalist. In 2006, the WVU offense averaged 38.8 points per game, 303 yards-per-game rushing and 461.4 yards of total offense.

In 2005, Mozes helped lead the Mountaineers to an 11-1 record and 7-0 mark in the Big East. WVU participated and won its first BCS game in school history, defeating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in Atlanta. Mozes started the first three games at guard that season before moving to center. He earned Associated Press All-America Second Team honors, All-Big East First Team honors and was a Rimington Trophy finalist.

Mozes was a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American, a three-time All-Big East First Team selection, a three-time All-ECAC selection, Big East All-Freshman selection, a second team freshman All-American from The Sporting News and a Sporting News Big East All-Freshman selection.

Mozes played in the Senior Bowl and signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. He sustained a season-ending knee injury in August and missed the entire 2007 season. Mozes returned for training camp in Minnesota in 2008 before retiring from the game in 2008.

Following his football career, he served as an assistant strength coach at Michigan. He now serves as vice president, national director of training, for Barwis Methods, in Plymouth, Michigan.