Eastern Michigan Athletics

Staff Directory

Alan Hensell
Alan Hensell
  • Title:
    Director of Recruiting
  • Email:
  • Phone:
    734.487.2160
Alan Hensell enters his second season with Eastern Michigan football in 2026 and his first as Director of Recruiting. Hensell joined the Eagles in 2025 as an Offensive Analyst, bringing more than two decades of coaching experience at the NCAA Division I and Division III levels.

As Director of Recruiting, Hensell oversees the program's recruiting efforts while assisting with the day-to-day operations of Eastern Michigan football.

Prior to arriving at Eastern Michigan, Hensell served as head football coach at Franklin College from 2020-24. During his tenure, he coached 58 players who earned all-conference honors. In 2024, Franklin's Garrett Cora earned All-America honors and set the school's single-season rushing record. The previous season, Hensell coached conference Defensive Player of the Year Jireh Ojata.

Before returning to Franklin, Hensell spent five seasons as tight ends coach at the University at Buffalo (2015-19), helping develop multiple All-Mid-American Conference performers, including first-team selections Matt Weiser and Tyler Mabry, as well as second-team honoree Mason Schreck. During his time at UB, the Bulls won the MAC East Division in 2018 and were bowl-eligible three years in a row from 2017-19. Buffalo also won the first bowl game in school history in 2019 by defeating Charlotte in the Bahamas Bowl.

Hensell spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where the football program posted back-to-back perfect 15-0 seasons under Head Coach Lance Leipold. The Warhawks won consecutive NCAA Division III national championships, defeating longtime rival Mount Union in both Stagg Bowls. The championship teams featured future NFL wide receiver Jake Kumerow and were part of a historic achievement for UW-Whitewater. During the 2013-14 academic year, the university became the first school in NCAA history, across all divisions, to win national championships in football, men's basketball, and baseball in the same year.

Hensell also held coaching positions at Gardner-Webb (2012), Ole Miss (2007-09, 2011), Tennessee (2010), Wisconsin-River Falls (2005-06), Franklin College (2004), and Decatur Central High School (2003). During his collegiate coaching career, Hensell has coached 20 players who went on to play in the NFL, including NFL Draft selections Michael Oher, John Jerry, Bobby Massie, and Mason Schreck. He also coached Jake Kumerow, the 2014 NCAA Division III Offensive Player of the Year, who went on to play in the NFL.

A native of New Carlisle, Ind., Hensell graduated from New Prairie High School in 2001. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health education from Franklin College in 2005.

Alan Hensell File
Name:            Alan Clark Hensell
Hometown:    New Prairie High School - New Carlisle, Ind. (2001)
College:         Franklin College - Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Health Education - 2005

Coaching Experience
Year         School                         Position
2026-Present     Eastern Michigan University             Director of Recruiting
2025         Eastern Michigan University             Offensive Analyst
2020-24     Franklin College                     Head Football Coach
2015-19     University at Buffalo                 Tight Ends Coach
2013-14     University of Wisconsin-Whitewater         Wide Receivers Coach
2012         Gardner-Webb University                 Offensive Line Coach
2011         University of Mississippi             Assistant Offensive Line Coach
2010         University of Tennessee                 Assistant Offensive Line Coach
2007-09     University of Mississippi             Graduate Assistant Coach
2005-06     University of Wisconsin-River Falls         Quarterbacks Coach
2004         Franklin College                     Outside Linebackers Coach
2003         Decatur Central High School             Quarterbacks Coach
All in for 26-27😤
Wednesday, June 24
Back in Ypsi!🦅
Tuesday, June 23
AK hit the upgrade button🆙
Thursday, June 18
Fifth Annual EMU Football Cruise Night
Wednesday, June 17