Army West Point Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Safeties
Verpaele enters his third season as the safeties coach after rejoining the Army coaching staff in 2023. He was no stranger to West Point, as he previously served as a quality control coach for Army on Jeff Monken’s staff from 2014-15.
Under Verpaele’s tutelage, senior safety Max DiDomenico had a sensational season. DiDomenico logged two interceptions and finished third with 62.0 tackles (41 solo). DiDomenico was named an AAC All-Conference First Team selection.
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 with cornerback Jaydan Mayes. The defense recorded 18 interceptions, the sixth most in the country, and it was Army’s most interceptions in a season since 1988. Seven of the 18 team interceptions were hauled in by the safeties (Larkin, 4; DiDomenico, 2; Collin Matteson, 1).
DiDomenico and Larkin started together in all 14 games of the season.
The secondary helped Army only give up an average of 185.9 passing yards per game, the 25th fewest in the country, and fourth fewest in the AAC.
The defense also led the AAC in the fewest total yards allowed per game (297.9), the only team to yield 300 or less per game in the conference.
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+ tackles, 4+ TFLs, 2+ sacks, 3 INTs and 4 PDs, joining Elijah Riley (2019) and Brandon Jackson (2015). Hammonds finished with 64 total tackles (third on the team), tied for the team-high with three INTs and had 2.5 sacks. 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.
Verpaele also oversaw the development of junior safety Max DiDomenico, who started in 11 games alongside Hammonds. DiDomenico logged 53 tackles and recorded two INTs, one of them coming in the Army-Navy Game, a pivotal play in the course of the game.
Before rejoining the Black Knights staff, Verpaele spent 2019-22 at Kennesaw State.
In 2021, Verpaele 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. The defensive coordinator also helped guide KSU to 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 with the No. 3 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).
Prior to Kennesaw State, he 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.
He is familiar with developing NFL talent, as 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.
Before his time at Valdosta State, Verpaele made stops as an assistant coach at Jacksonville University (2010-12), Mississippi State (2013), and Army (2014-15). He began his coaching career at the Virginia Military Institute as an assistant coach in 2009.
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 lives at West Point with his wife Melissa and their one-year-old son, Miles.
