Hanson played quarterback at Stockton Delta Junior College in 1987, Walla Walla Community College from 1988–89, and Pacific University (Forest Grove, Ore.) from 1990-91.
Hanson began his coaching career as the Assistant Defensive Backs coach at Eastern Washington University (1993–1995). He then became a Graduate Assistant coach on Defense at the University of Washington (1996–1997) before returning to EWU as Secondary coach (1998–1999). From (2000–02) he was the Secondary coach at Portland State and added the role of Special Teams Coordinator. (2001–2002)
In (2003), Hanson was hired by Mike Tice as an Offensive Quality Control coach/QB's Minnesota Vikings. (2005) Hanson was promoted by the Minnesota Vikings to Assistant QB coach. Scott Linehan hired Hanson St. Louis Rams in (2006) as Quality Control coach/RB's. In (2007) Hanson joined the Oakland Raiders where he served under Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan as Assistant Secondary Coach. In January (2009) the Oakland Raiders promoted Hanson to Assistant Coach-Defense. Hanson was reassigned to the team's scouting department in December 2009
On August 5, 2009, Hanson and Raiders head coach Tom Cable were involved in an altercation that resulted in the breaking of Hanson's jaw. Hanson was placed on paid administrative leave. On October 22, 2009, the Napa District Attorney announced that no charges would be filed against Cable.
