Danny Verpaele

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. 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, defensive backs coach at Jacksonville University, and he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at VMI.

Early life
Danny Verpaele was born on October 5, 1985, in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

High school
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. 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. 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.

College
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. Verpaele did not participate in 2005 due to a broken ankle. 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. Verpaele recorded 5 tackles, broke up 3 passes during the win against East Carolina Pirates in the 2006 PapaJohns.com Bowl.