Giuseppe DePalo
Head Coach
Taking the reins of Nova Southeastern University's men's soccer program in 1999, Giuseppe DePalo proved he was going to be leaving a significant mark on the program. In just four years, he became NSU's all-time winningest coach. Now entering his 11th season, DePalo has amounted a 115-64-17 record and has more than doubled the highest number of wins achieved by any previous NSU coach. His current win percentage of .630 ranks among Division II winningest active coaches.
With a 1-0 shutout of Flagler on Nov, 9, 2002, DePalo picked up his 51st career win and surpass previous all-time winningest coach Thomas Rongen. Then nearly five years later, DePalo surpassed another milestone - win number 100. NSU posted a 3-2 overtime win over Saint Leo on Sept. 15, 2007 to push DePalo over the century mark.
In 2008, junior Romain Onteniente had yet another stellar season, earning Daktronics Second-Team All-South Region and All-SSC First-Team honors. Onteniente finished the season leading NSU with 11 assists, which is second in NSU's single-season records. Junior transfer David Wahlberg proved to be a key figure in NSU's offense, leading the team in points (35), goals (13) and game-winning goals (3) in his first year at NSU.
In 2007, NSU raised many eyebrows around the SSC with a team that featured 17 newcomers and 15 freshmen and was 12-5-2 overall. NSU achieved its highest ever national ranking when it was ranked second in the NSCAA/adidas national poll in early October. NSU also hit the top spot in the regional rankings for the first time in program history and also amassed a nine-match unbeaten streak. To close out the year, sophomore Romain Onteniente earned SSC Player of the Year and All-SSC First-Team honors. Freshman Aly Hassan was also named All-SSC First-Team.
The 2006 Sharks finished nearly perfect at home in the NSU Soccer Complex (6-1-1), keeping it one of the toughest places to play in south Florida. DePalo's squad also proved its toughness in overtime contests, finishing the season 4-0-3.
In 2005, NSU saw senior Matthew Parry was received All-SSC Second-Team honors and was a NSCAA/adidas Honorable Mention All-American.
In 2004, NSU team posted a 15-4-1 record, matching the program record for most victories in a season. NSU also was ranked as high as ninth in the NSCAA/adidas national poll, marking the second consecutive season that NSU ranked as high as ninth in the national poll. Among the highlights of the 2004 season was a 3-2 win over defending NCAA National Champion Lynn University, as well as an SSC tournament final appearance in NSU's first year of full competition within the conference.
Individually, junior forward Adam Ludden was named the 2004 SSC Player of the Year, while NSU led all SSC schools with a total of eight All-Conference team selections in 2004. Meanwhile, junior Matthew Parry was named an NSCAA/adidas Second Team All-American, becoming the first player in program history to earn All-American status in NCAA competition.
During the 2000 and 2001 seasons, the Sharks finished nationally ranked in the final NSCAA poll. For his efforts, DePalo was named Florida Sun Conference Coach of the year in 2001. Meanwhile, DePalo collected Region XVI Coach of the Year honors in 2000 after the leading the Sharks to a second-straight NAIA National Tournament appearance.
DePalo came to NSU after serving as an assistant coach at Embry-Riddle, helping the team capture the 1998 Florida Sun Conference Championship and a NAIA Southeast Regional Final appearance.
A native of Milan, Italy, DePalo attended perennial soccer power Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire. He helped the Ravens to back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournament appearances in 1993 and 1994.
Upon graduating from Franklin Pierce in 1995 with a degree in International Business, he signed with the Connecticut Wolves of the USL. After two years with the Wolves, DePalo spent time with the Canton Invaders and Tampa Bay Terror of the NPSL, as well as the Albany Alleycats and New Hampshire Phantoms of the USL.
DePalo currently holds a USSF "A" License, as well as a Premier License from the NSCAA.
He earned his Master's in sports management from NSU in September 2005. He resides in Weston, Fla. with his wife, Kathryn, and children, Bianca and Matteo.
