[4] He was born in New York City to Elliot and Katherine Daland, but grew up in Philadelphia, where after college, he began a coaching career[5] that spanned over 40 years.

[6] Daland attended Harvard University as did his father, and grandfather, before he enlisted in the United States Army for World War II.

Harvard educated, and a graduate of Swarthmore, he was known for bringing the "bearing of an upper crust Eastern sophisticate" to the less stodgy USC campus, and would often come to the swim deck in a white shirt, coat and tie.

[4][9] Some of the most outstanding swimmers he mentored included four time gold medal winner John Naber and American record holders Dave Wharton and Mike O’Brien.

[4] Outstanding Olympians coached by Daland included William Craig, Roy Saari, Murray Rose, Jeff Float, Joe and Mike Bottom and Bruce and Steve Furniss.

[8] Daland was also the founder of the Junior Swimmer newsletter, and co-founded the widely subscribed Swimming World Magazine.

Better access to swim times helped Dalland and other coaches more effectively assign their swimmers to events, which led them to winning more meets.