A former high school coach and administrator, Dave Canan is currently in his 14th year as head coach of the Babson softball team with a career record of 311-218-1 (.588). During his 13-year tenure, he has resurrected a program that won just seven games in 1999, leading the Beavers to 10 seasons with at least 20 victories, including a pair of 30-plus win campaigns. In addition, he guided the program to its first-ever ECAC Tournament berth in 2002, its first NEWMAC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth 2005, and its second straight conference title and NCAA Tournament bid in 2006. As a result, Canan was named the NEWMAC Coach of the Year following the 2006 season.

A graduate of Boston State College and Northeastern University, Canan taught and coached softball and basketball at Masconomet Regional High School for almost 20 years before taking over as athletics director at Newburyport High School in 1994. While at Newburyport, Canan also coached softball for one season, leading the Clippers to a Cape Ann League title and a berth in the Division II state tournament.

In addition to his softball duties, Canan also serves as an assistant coach of Babson's highly successful women's basketball team during the winter. He currently resides in North Reading, Massachusetts.