Years In Coaching: 18th
Years at USF: 1st
Alma Mater: South Florida, ‘04 – Bachelor’s in --
Family: Wife: Melissa; Son: Miles
Hometown: Merritt Island, Fla.
NOTABLE:
• A South Florida alum who played safety for the Bulls (2004-08) during the Bulls transition to the Big East and earning a No. 2 national ranking.
• Coach safeties at Army for three seasons
• Former defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State and Valdosta State. The Blazers captured the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship with a perfect 14-0 mark for the first time in program history.
• A former all-state quarterback/defensive back at Merritt Island High School
Danny Verpaele returned to South Florida, where he played safety from 2004-08, to join Brian Hartline’s first South Florida staff in December of 2025 as safeties coach.
Verpaele returned to South Florida after three seasons in the same role at Army. He also brings experience having served as defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State and Valdosta State.
A native of Merritt Island, Fla., he played in 31 games for the Bulls (2004-08), registering 110 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception on USF teams that transitioned from Conference USA to the Big East and reached the No. 2 ranking in the nation in 2007. He was part of teams that reached bowl games in his final four seasons (winning two) and twice posted nine-win seasons (2006 & 2007).
ARMY: Verpaele spent three seasons coaching safeties at Army. The 2025 Army defense ranked second in the American in points allowed (22.1) and passing yards allowed (199.3 ypg). Army’s 2024 defense ranked No. 6 in the nation with 18 interceptions–the program’s most since 1988–and saw safety Max DiDomenico earn first team all-conference honors. The Black Knights ranked 25
th nationally allowing 185.9 passing yards per game and led the AAC in total defense (297.9 ypg). Seven of the 18 team interceptions were hauled in by the safeties.
Opposite of DiDomenico in the starting secondary was junior Casey Larkin, who enjoyed a breakout season under Verpaele’s guidance. Larkin totaled 51 tackles (fourth most on the team) and logged four interceptions, which was tied for the team lead.
In 2023, Verpaele helped guide senior safety Quindrelin Hammonds to have his best career season, where he became the third Army defender (since 2005), to log 60-plus tackles, 4-plus TFLs, 2-plus sacks, 3 INTs and 4 PDs. Hammonds was named to the ECAC D-I FBS All-Defensive Team, Phil Steele’s Postseason First-Team All-Independent Team and College Football Network’s All-Independent First Team.
KENNESAW STATE: Verpaele spent 2019-22 at Kennesaw State, serving from 2020-22 as defensive coordinator. In 2021, he led the Owls to the top-ranked scoring defense in the Big South Conference and 18th-ranked in the FCS, allowing 19.5 points per game. KSU had the top-ranked red zone defense in the FCS at 57.6%.
Verpaele was key in the development of linebacker Evan Thompson, who went on to earn First Team All-Big South honors. Under Verpaele’s play calling, Thompson set a new school record for total tackles in a single season (118) and became the first player in KSU history to record 10+ tackles in three consecutive games.
In 2020, the Kennesaw defense finished the season No. 3 in total defense in the nation, while also ranking in the Top 25 in the country in a slew of other categories, including rushing defense (5th), fumble recoveries (15th), third down defense (18th) and passing yards allowed (22nd).
VALDOSTA STATE: Verpaele spent three seasons as defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Valdosta State (2016-18). Under his defensive leadership, the Blazers captured the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship with a perfect 14-0 mark for the first time in program history. In 2018, Verpaele’s defense led the Gulf South Conference in turnovers (27) and red zone defense (65.2 percent), which ranked eighth and ninth nationally.
Two members of his defense, Stephen Denmark and Iseoluwape Jedede, found themselves in the league after the 2018 season. Denmark was selected in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears, while Jedede was signed by the Indianapolis Colts.
EARLY COACHING CAREER: He has also made stops as an assistant coach at Virginia Military Institute (2009), Jacksonville University (2010-12), Mississippi State (2013), and Army (2014-15).
PLAYING CAREER (South Florida)
Verpaele was a three-year letterman as a strong safety at the University of South Florida from 2004-08 and was named a Sporting News Freshman All-American following his rookie season. He played in 31 contests and registered 110 total tackles, including 14 tackles for loss during his career.
Verpaele was a four-year lettermen for Merritt Island High School. In his junior year (2002), he led the Mustangs to the regional semifinals, losing to Drew Weatherford-led Land O' Lakes High School, 20-14. Verpaele was a Class 4A Second-Team All-State selection in 2002. In 2003, his senior year, Verpaele had a standout season, passing for 1,531 yards and rushing for 1,015. Verpaele led the Mustangs to the regional final championship. He also played defensive back and was voted Brevard County All-Space Coast Defensive Player of the Year by the Florida Today. the Orlando Sentinel voted Verpaele to its All-Central Florida team. In 2003, Verpaele was again voted to the Class 4A All-State Second Team. Verpaele holds the distinction as being the first player in school history to start all four years.
PERSONAL
Verpaele and his wife, Melissa, have a young son, Miles.
COACHING CAREER
2026 South Florida Safeties Coach
2022-25 Army Safeties Coach
2020-22 Kennesaw State Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2019 Kennesaw State Defensive Backs Coach
2016-18 Valdosta State Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2014-15 Army Quality Control Coach/Tight Ends
2013 Mississippi State Graduate Assistant Coach
2010-12 Jacksonville University Defensive Backs Coach
2009 VMI Graduate Assistant Coach
– #GoBulls –
