Giuseppe DePalo, Head Coach
(954) 262-8255
depalog@nova.edu
Giuseppe DePalo Head Coach (Tenth Season) Now entering his 10th season in charge of the NSU Men's soccer program, DePalo has become the winningest coach in NSU men's soccer history with an overall record of 105-55-16. In addition, DePalo's career winning percentage of 64.2% ranks him among the top active NCAA Division II coaches in the country. The Sharks 3-2 OT win vs. Saint Leo on Sept 15th, 2007 also marked DePalo's 100th career win at NSU.
In 2007, DePalo's Sharks raised many eyebrows around the SSC, fielding a team that featured 17 newcomers and 15 freshmen en route to a 12-5-2 finish. The Sharks achieved the highest ever national ranking in program history when they were ranked 2nd nationally in the NSCAA/adidas national poll in early October. The team also hit the top spot in the regional rankings for the first time ever and also amassed a nine-match unbeaten streak. More impressive, however, was the fact that the Sharks started seven freshmen every game for the entire season. The Sharks defeated Saint Leo 1-0 in the SSC Quarterfinals before being eliminated on penalty kicks in the SSC Semifinals.
Super soph Romain Onteniente earned SSC Player of the Year honors while freshman forward Aly Hassan was an All-SSC First Team selection. The two formed one of the SSC's most formidable front lines in 2007.
During the 2006 season the 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 their toughness in overtime contests, finishing the season 4-0-3.
In 2004, DePalo's NSU team posted a 15-4-1 record, matching the program record for most victories in a season and also moved as high as ninth in the NSCAA/adidas national poll during the 2004 campaign. It was 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 NSU's first-ever conference tournament final appearance. The Sharks finished the regular season as SSC runner-up in just their first year of full competition within the conference.
DePalo has also been impressive on the recruiting trail as he has now recruited and coached four Conference Players of the year. Romain Onteniente is the latest player to receive the distinction as he was named the 2007 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. Adam Ludden was named the 2004 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, while NSU led all SSC schools with a total of eight All-Conference team selections in 2004. Teofilo Cubillas and Jeremy Flint were also named Florida Sun Conference Players of the year in 2000, and 2001 respectively. 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.
In 2002, NSU's 1-0 home shutout of Flagler College (11/09/02) was Coach DePalo's 51st career win, making him the winningest coach in NSU men's soccer history. DePalo surpassed Thomas Rongen (current USA U-20 national team coach) who held a 50-35-6 record from 1991-1995.
During the 2000 and 2001 seasons, the Sharks finished nationally ranked in the final NSCAA poll (21st in 2000, and 19th in 2001). During his first two seasons, DePalo helped guide the squad to back-to-back Regional Championships. He has also led the Sharks to two consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances, which were only the second and third such appearances in the 21-year history of the program. For his efforts, Coach DePalo was named Florida Sun Conference Coach of the year in 2001, and Region XIV Coach of the year in 2000. Formerly an assistant coach at Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach, he was instrumental in helping the team capture the 1998 Florida Sun Conference Championship, en route to appearing in the NAIA Southeast Regional Final.
Born and raised in Milan, Italy, DePalo attended perennial NCAA Division II soccer power Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire. While there, he helped lead the Ravens to back-to-back NCAA 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 holds a USSF "A" License, as well as a Premier License from the NSCAA. He has also been selected as a member of the NSCAA Coaching Associate Staff.
He earned his Master's degree in Sports Management from NSU in September, 2005. He resides in Weston, Fla. with his wife Kathryn, eight-year-old daughter Bianca and two-year-old son Matteo.
