Danny grew up in rural West Tennessee, surrounding by fields of cotton and soybeans.  He attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) as a first-generation student, earning a B.A. in English and his M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration.

Danny has worked in higher education as a professional since 2000, serving in various roles at MTSU, the United States Army, Washington State University, at the University of West Georgia before coming to Eastern Illinois University.

In his spare time, Danny collects comic books, plays video games, and follows St. Louis Cardinals baseball.  He lives in Kansas, IL, with his wife, his daughter, and three cats.