Duane Hennessy coached wrestling in the state of North Dakota for thirty-eight. Twenty-nine of those years were served as a co-head wrestling coach for Grand Forks Central High School. A native of Minot, North Dakota, he graduated from Minot High School in 1951. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Minot State University and a Master's Degree from the University of North Dakota. While at Minot State University, he lettered in football.

Duane was one of the original head coaches of wrestling in the state of North Dakota. Duane spent his first three years of teaching at Des Lacs, ND and than landed a job for four years at Bismarck St. Mary's High School where he coached the wrestling team to a state championship in 1964. His next job was at Minot High School where he taught and coached football and wrestling for three years. His final move was to Grand Forks Central where he served as the head football coach and co-head wrestling coach. Duane retired from teaching and coaching in 1997.

During his tenure as the co-head wrestling coach (1975-1997) at Central, he and Vince Ames accumulated a dual team record of 248-149-4 and had sixteen out of twenty-two winning seasons. Their teams won six region championships and had five top five place finishes at the state tournament. During these years, they coached twenty-three region champions, fifty-two EDC champions, and eight state champions. Duane has been inducted into the ND Coaches Hall of Fame, ND Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and the GFC Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Duane writes this about his induction into the GFC Athletic Hall of Fame: "It would take a book to relate all of the great memories and experiences I had while coaching wrestling at GFC. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the athletes, cheerleaders, and parents who have contributed many hours of their time to help make the GFC wrestling program successful. Working with Vince Ames was a highlight in itself. Being inducted into the GFC Athletic Hall of Fame is truly one of the highlights of my coaching career. I am especially honored to be included with this year's inductees."