Darnell Stapleton
 Stapleton with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007 | |
| Washington Commanders | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Assistant offensive line coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 21, 1985 Union Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College: |
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| Undrafted: | 2007 |
| Career history | |
| As a player: | |
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| As a coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Darnell Robert Stapleton (born September 21, 1985) is an
Early years
Stapleton played football for Union High School. As a senior in 2002, he was a first-team All-Watchung Conference selection, and a first-team all-county selection.
College career
Junior college
Stapleton attended Hudson Valley Community College for two seasons. In 2003, he earned second-team all-league honors. He started 11 games in 2004, and was a first-team All-Northeast Football Conference selection and a preseason NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American.
Rutgers University
Following junior college, Stapleton enrolled at Rutgers University, where he became the team's starting center in spring camps in 2005. He started 12 games on the season. In his senior year, Stapleton started 13 games and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's best center. The Rutgers offensive line allowed only eight sacks on the season, the fewest in the nation, while Rutgers running back Ray Rice set a Big East Conference record with 1,794 yards on the season. Stapleton was awarded the David Bender Trophy, given to the team's best offensive lineman.
NFL career
Pittsburgh Steelers
Stapleton was signed as an
Florida Tuskers
Stapleton signed to play with the
New England Patriots
Stapleton signed with the New England Patriots on August 9, 2010. He was waived on August 11.
Coaching career
New York Sharks
As of 2011 Stapleton is the head coach for the New York Sharks, a professional women's football team in the Women's Football Alliance. The New York Sharks are the longest running and winningest team in women's football history with 3 conference titles (2002, 2003, 2004 IWFL East), 6 division titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 IWFL) and 1 championship title (2002 IWFL).
Montclair Kimberley Cougars
Stapleton coached the offensive and defensive lines at
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
After his brief stint as head coach of the New York Sharks, Darnell Stapleton returned to Rutgers for the position of offensive assistant in 2012.
Pace University Setters
Stapleton was supposed to be an offensive line coach for the 2014 Setters season, however on July 16, 2014, he announced that he would be joining the Bucknell University Bison for their 2014 season.
Washington Commanders
On February 15, 2024, Stapleton was hired by the Washington Commanders as their assistant offensive line coach under head coach Dan Quinn.[2]
References
- ^ Wilson, Aaron (July 15, 2010). "Florida Tuskers Acquire Darnell Stapleton's Rights". National Football Post. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
- ^ Washington Commanders Public Relations (February 15, 2024). "Washington Commanders announce coaching staff". Commanders.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.