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Danny Verpaele

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Danny Verpaele
Current position
TitleSafeties coach
TeamArmy
ConferenceAAC
Biographical details
Born (1985-10-05) October 5, 1985 (age 39)
Playing career
2004–2008South Florida
Position(s)Free safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2009VMI (GA)
2010–2012Jacksonville (DB)
2013Mississippi State (GA)
2014–2015Army (TE/OQC)
2016–2018Valdosta State (DC/LB)
2019Kennesaw State (DB)
2020–2022Kennesaw State (DC/DB)
2023–presentArmy (S)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Sporting News Third-Team Freshman All-American (2004)[1]

Danny Verpaele (born October 5, 1985) is an American football player and coach. He played as the free safety for the University of South Florida (USF) South Florida Bulls NCAA Division I college football team. Verpaele is a 2004 graduate of Merritt Island High School.[2] Verpaele coached linebackers as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State, and is currently the safeties coach at Army Verpaele previously served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Kennesaw State Owls. Before Kennesaw State, Verpaele served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Valdosta State, where he won a Division II National Championship in 2018. Prior to VSU, Verpaele served as offensive quality control and tight ends coach at Army,[3] defensive backs coach at Jacksonville University, and he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at VMI.[4]

Early life

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Danny Verpaele was born on October 5, 1985, in Cocoa Beach, Florida.[2]

Career

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High school

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Verpaele was a four-year lettermen for the Merritt Island Mustangs. In his junior year (2002–2003), Verpaele led the Mustangs to the regional semifinals, losing to Drew Weatherford-led Land O' Lakes High School 20-14 on November 29, 2002. Verpaele was a Class 4A Second-Team All-State selectee in 2002.
In 2003, his senior year, Verpaele erupted, passing for 1,531 yards and rushing for 1,015. Verpaele led the Mustangs to the regional final championship but they fell short, losing 27-0 to Washington High School on December 5, 2003.[5] Verpaele 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 and he was ranked as the 68th Best Prospect in the state of Florida.[6] In 2003, Verpaele was again voted to the Class 4A All-State Second Team.[7] Verpaele holds the distinction as being the first player in school history to start all four years.[6]

College

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Verpaele played 11 games during 2004, having 25 solo tackles, and 32 assisted tackles for 57 tackles in total. Verpaele had 2 sacks, 6 tackles for a loss of 13 yards, one pass break up, and one fumble recover. Verpaele earned a sporting news' Third-Team Freshman All-American honor.[8] Verpaele did not participate in 2005 due to a broken ankle.[2] Verpaele played 13 games during 2006, doing 26 solo tackles, 13 assisted for a total of 39. Verpaele had a tackle for a loss and an interception against North Carolina Tar Heels, returning it 26 yards. On November 25, 2006, against West Virginia Mountaineers, Verpaele hit Steve Slaton who was running back on the goal line, forcing a fumble. Verpaele's team would beat its highest ranked opponent at that time, beating 24 by 19.[9] Verpaele recorded 5 tackles, broke up 3 passes during the win against East Carolina Pirates in the 2006 PapaJohns.com Bowl.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "- Sporting News Magazine names Verpaele Third-Team Freshman All-American in 2004". Archived from the original on December 22, 2004. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Danny Verpaele". South Florida Bulls.
  3. ^ Jones, David (December 12, 2014). "MIHS grad Verpaele gets first taste of Army-Navy game". Florida Today.
  4. ^ "DANNY VERPAELE". Kennesaw State Owls.
  5. ^ FHSAA 2003 Class 4A Football Championship [permanent dead link]
  6. ^ a b "#17 Danny Verpaele". Scout.com. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  7. ^ Emfinger, Max (September 8, 2016). "2016 All-American HS Football Super 16 Skill MVP Players Of Week #1". maxemfingerrecruiting. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  8. ^ "South Florida Combined Team Statistics" (PDF). South Florida Bulls. September 7, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2012.
  9. ^ "Ponton, Verpaele, Benzer and Glover out". USFBullsEYE.com. June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011.
  10. ^ McMurphy, Brett (August 11, 2008). "Verpaele Eager To Get Back On Field". Tampa Bay Online. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013.