Danny Verpaele

Biography

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). Under his defensive leadership at 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.