Dan Rogas graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and played college football at Tulane University in New Orleans from 1947 – 1950. Following his graduation, Rogas was drafted by the Cleveland Browns but played the 1951 season with the Detroit Lions. Rogas was the first National Football League draftee from Port Arthur. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 1952 season.

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Lamar University hired Rogas in 1955 to serve as their offensive line coach, a position he held until 1971. During that time, he coached 22 all-conference and five All-America players. 

 

Beginning in 1963, Rogas also coached the Lamar University men’s golf team. In his first year, Rogas coached the team to the 1963 Lone Star conference championship. The golf team also moved to the Southland Conference, where Rogas led his players to the first ten conference championships from 1964 until 1973.

 

In 1972, Rogas moved into administration as the athletic business manager and director of the Cardinal Club. Rogas’s last year as the head coach, the golf team captured another conference championship, the twelfth under his leadership. The Southland Conference named Rogas the men’s golf coach of the year twice in 1973 and 1981.

 

Rogas was an integral part of the design and building of the golf driving range at Lamar University. He mentored hundreds of students and athletes and worked to improve the Beaumont community by serving as the President of the Young Men’s Business League (YMBL). 

 

In 1986, Lamar University recognized Rogas’ contributions to the university by inducting him into its Cardinal Hall of Honor. Rogas’ career was also recognized by the Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association and Tulane University. He is a member of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Sports Hall of Fame.