University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Football
Stapleton, Darnell
Darnell Stapleton
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Assistant OL
Louisiana Football added former Super Bowl Champion Darnell Stapleton to its staff prior to the 2021 season. Stapleton will serve as the assistant offensive line coach.
Stapleton joins the Ragin’ Cajuns after spending the last three years at Sam Houston State, where he was the offensive line coach and the run game coordinator. During the 2019 campaign, the Bearkat offensive line produced a pair of All-Southland Conference selections in first teamer Colby Thomas and third teamer Tyler Edwards.
Behind that duo and under the tutelage of Stapleton, running back Donovan Williams earned Second Team honors after he finished second in the Southland in rushing with 925 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Prior to arriving in Huntsville, he spent four seasons as the offensive line coach at Bucknell University.
In 2016, Stapleton coached Julién Davenport, who captured First Team All-America honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation and STATS. Also a four-time All-Patriot League selection, Davenport became Bucknell’s first NFL Draft pick since 1969 when he was taken in the fourth round by the Houston Texans.
The offensive line coach at Pace University for six months prior to joining the Bucknell staff, Stapleton completed two years as a graduate assistant at Rutgers, working closely with an offensive line that ranked in the top 10 nationally in fewest sacks allowed in 2012. The Scarlet Knights went to two bowl games during Stapleton’s tenure, which also included a Big East title.
Joe Susan was an assistant coach at Rutgers from 2001 to 2009 and was on staff when Stapleton joined the Rutgers program in 2005 after two years at Hudson Valley Community College. He started all 25 games at center during his two years at Rutgers, earning recognition as a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as a senior. Stapleton anchored an offensive line that blocked for future NFL Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice.
Stapleton graduated from Rutgers in 2007 with a degree in business and labor relations.
Stapleton was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2007 to 2010 and was on the squad that won Super Bowl XLIII at the conclusion of the 2008 campaign. He started 18 games on the offensive line during his time in Pittsburgh, including the Super Bowl. Overall, he played in 26 career games with the Steelers.
Stapleton’s coaching career started in 2011 with the New York Sharks, a women’s professional football team. He followed that stint with one season coaching both the offensive and defensive lines at Montclair Kimberly Academy. The squad posted a 9-2 mark, surpassing the program record for wins by three.
Stapleton joins the Ragin’ Cajuns after spending the last three years at Sam Houston State, where he was the offensive line coach and the run game coordinator. During the 2019 campaign, the Bearkat offensive line produced a pair of All-Southland Conference selections in first teamer Colby Thomas and third teamer Tyler Edwards.
Behind that duo and under the tutelage of Stapleton, running back Donovan Williams earned Second Team honors after he finished second in the Southland in rushing with 925 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Prior to arriving in Huntsville, he spent four seasons as the offensive line coach at Bucknell University.
In 2016, Stapleton coached Julién Davenport, who captured First Team All-America honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation and STATS. Also a four-time All-Patriot League selection, Davenport became Bucknell’s first NFL Draft pick since 1969 when he was taken in the fourth round by the Houston Texans.
The offensive line coach at Pace University for six months prior to joining the Bucknell staff, Stapleton completed two years as a graduate assistant at Rutgers, working closely with an offensive line that ranked in the top 10 nationally in fewest sacks allowed in 2012. The Scarlet Knights went to two bowl games during Stapleton’s tenure, which also included a Big East title.
Joe Susan was an assistant coach at Rutgers from 2001 to 2009 and was on staff when Stapleton joined the Rutgers program in 2005 after two years at Hudson Valley Community College. He started all 25 games at center during his two years at Rutgers, earning recognition as a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as a senior. Stapleton anchored an offensive line that blocked for future NFL Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice.
Stapleton graduated from Rutgers in 2007 with a degree in business and labor relations.
Stapleton was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2007 to 2010 and was on the squad that won Super Bowl XLIII at the conclusion of the 2008 campaign. He started 18 games on the offensive line during his time in Pittsburgh, including the Super Bowl. Overall, he played in 26 career games with the Steelers.
Stapleton’s coaching career started in 2011 with the New York Sharks, a women’s professional football team. He followed that stint with one season coaching both the offensive and defensive lines at Montclair Kimberly Academy. The squad posted a 9-2 mark, surpassing the program record for wins by three.
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