Scott Darnell - Assistant Football Coach - Defensive Coordinator - Football Coaches - University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Scott Darnell

Title:
Assistant Football Coach - Defensive Coordinator
Email:
unc_football@unco.edu
Phone:
970.373.7714

Scott Darnell joined the staff at UNC as the defensive coordinator in 2020 after a long, illustrious career at the high school ranks in Colorado. He most recently was on Head Coach McCaffrey's staff as the DC for Valor Christian High School, winning the 2018 State Championship.

In Darnell's first year taking over the Northern Colorado defense he helped the team make a leap going from 122nd in total defense to 62nd.

A key reason for that jump was the performance of David Hoage. The linebacker earned third team All-America honors by the AP and Stat Performance. He was also a first team All-American on Hero Sports sophomore team. Hoage led the Big Sky with 22 TFLs on his way to the All-America honors.

Hoage led the way earning second team All-Big Sky honors for a defense that had four players on them overall. Jerone Jackson was a third team safety while Jace Bobo and Joe Golden earned honorable mention.

In the 2021 season UNC had a pair of Big Sky Defensive Players of the Week in Hoage against Houston Baptist and Xander Gagnon against Northern Arizona.

Darnell has great ties to the state of Colorado coaching at various high schools over the past 23 years. Before coaching at Valor he served as a defensive coordinator at Chaparral High School (2014-2017), Lutheran High School (2010-2013), Littleton High School (2009-2010), Regis Jesuit High School (2002-2009), Adams City High School (2001) and Littleton High School (1997-2000)

Darnell has 20 state playoff appearances, coached two Army All-American players and four future NFL players. He coached current NFL coaches Klint Kubiak and AC Patterson of the Minnesota Vikings and had over 100 players who went on to play college football.

Joining Darnell in Greeley is his wife Alison and daughters Alexandria, Riley, Isabella and Sawyer. Riley is married to NFL defensive end Adam Gotsis.