Zips Likely Lose RB Coach

[Captain Kangaroo]

Fort Hays candidate wants to be head coach again

By NABIL SHAHEEN

Hays Daily News

Kevin Verdugo has been around the game of football for a long time.

He has played or coached it on just about every level possible.

The current assistant and running backs coach for NCAA Division 1-A University of Akron was the third candidate to meet and greet with Fort Hays officials and supporters this morning in the Tiger room at Cunningham Hall.

"I don't think there is a better time to be here than right now," Verdugo said. "With the move into the new conference, the influx of resources being put into the program. The MIAA is probably one of the top Division II conferences in the country."

Prior to Akron, Verdugo was a head coach at Fort Scott Community College for three years. He has also had stints as assistant, running backs or quarterbacks coach at Southern Illinois University, the University of Northern Michigan and Southeast Missouri State University.

"I miss being a head coach," Verdugo said of his interest in the Fort Hays job. "I miss the challenges you face every day. It's a great time to come aboard and start something fresh and something new."

The 35-year-old Verdugo is a native of Pittsburg and played quarterback at the University of Kansas for one year - "I was born and always will be a Jayhawk" - before finishing out his collegiate playing career at Colorado State University, where the team was Western Athletic Conference co-champion his senior year.

Professionally, Verdugo spent two years in the New Orleans Saints training camp and also played for the Shreveport Pirates of the CFL.

"I've just had an opportunity and been fortunate in my career to be around a lot of good people and see many different aspects of the game," Verdugo said.

"I think it's something that tends to be a great resource. It makes you understand and appreciate a lot of things. I know many guys I work with in Division I that couldn't fathom some of the things you have to do at the Division II level. And that's OK, it may not be for them, but it's something that is a great brand of football."

With his wife Jennifer and 5-month-old son Kaleb present at today's event, Verdugo said his priorities have shifted and thus a greater interest in a return to Kansas.

"When you're a kid you spend your whole time trying to get away and out to bigger and better places," he said. "Then you grow and you've been all over, you find out that maybe home is not such a bad place. There's a lot of things you have to take a look at in your life and prioritize things. The opportunity to be close to home and close to family and work at a program like this is a great combination."

Sports reporter Nabil Shaheen can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 127, or by e-mail at nshaheen@dailynews.net.

[zff]

If he does leave I trust JD to find somebody just as good or better.

[zff]

Footballscoop.com is reporting that coach Verdugo was hired as the new coach at Fort Hays.

If this is true best of luck to him and his family.

[GP1]

This is a great testimonial as to the quality of coach JD is bringing to the program. I'm sure he will find another good one.

Best wishes to the Verdugo family. I've met both him and his wife and they are really good people.

[zipboy]

Good luck if he leaves. It seems that JD has a knack for picking good assistants. Kevin Verdugo forever known as the guy who brought Brett Biggs to Akron. Not a bad way to be remembered.

[zff]

Per gozips.com Verdugo is offically gone. Congrats to him and good luck as well. He is taking Chris Hauser with him. Chris has been a grad student for the last few years. Good luck to Chris as well in his first coaching position.

Now that coach Verdugo is gone who will replace him. Any thoughts????

Remember coach Brookhart said when he was hired he wanted to hire a local highschool coach for his staff.........