Football
Perkins, Darrell
Darrell Perkins
- Title:
- Safeties/Rovers
- Email:
- dperki06@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 4817
Darrell Perkins, an experienced defensive backs coach who has coached three conference title squads and a pair of New Years Six Bowl participants, joined the Syracuse football program in February, 2023.
Perkins will oversee the safeties and rovers in the Orange’s 3-3-5 scheme. He most recently spent the 2022 season at UMass, where his unit ranked in the top-10 nationally in passing defense, allowing just 175 yards per game through the air.
He has spent much of his career in the Northeast and DMV areas, with two stints, totaling seven years, at UConn as the defensive backs coach, three years at Fordham, including a year as the co-Defensive Coordinator, a year at Maryland as the defensive backs coach and one season at Old Dominion, comprising his last 13 years of coaching.
In addition to having the ninth-best passing defense in the country this season, the Minutemen defense was 12th nationally in third down defense, 25th in first downs allowed and 55th in total defense in his one season there.
Prior to UMass, Perkins spent his three years as the defensive backs coach at UConn, his second stint in the role. He previously coached the Huskies from 2010-13, where the team won a BIG EAST Championship and made the Fiesta Bowl under his watch.
Over his two stints in Storrs, the Huskies defense reached the top-10 nationally in numerous defensive statistics. His 2012 unit helped the Huskies finish the year ninth in the country and lead the BIG EAST in total defense. The 2010 squad tied for fifth nationally in interceptions and was ranked 28th in passing efficiency defense.
He coached a trio of NFL Draft picks at UConn. Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz were both selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, after spending the entirety of their careers with Perkins. He also coached 2015 first round selection Byron Jones, 2018 free agent Andrew Adams and 2017 second round NFL selection Obi Melifonwu.
In between his time in Connecticut, Perkins was the defensive backs coach at Old Dominion (2014), Maryland (2015) and Fordham (2016-18), adding a co-Defensive Coordinator role for his final season with the Rams in 2018.
In 2014, he was on staff for Old Dominion’s inaugural season at the FBS level. The Monarchs finished 6-6, but were ineligible for bowl contention due to their transition period requirement. The squad finished 4-4 vs. Conference USA competition and were led by Eriq Lewis and Reggie Owens in the backend, who combined for 73 tackles and two sacks.
He then spent the 2015 season with Maryland, before joining Fordham a year later. In 2016, Perkins guided a Fordham defensive back unit that was tops in the Patriot League, and fifth in the FCS, in defensive passing efficiency (106.61) and finished third in the league in interceptions with 13. The Rams led the Patriot League and finished 12th nationally in turnovers gained during the 2016 season. Caleb Ham and Jihad Pretlow each earned All-Patriot League honors in his first season.
Perkins helped Dylan Mabin earn All-Patriot League honors in each of the last two seasons (2017-18) and the Fordham defense led the Patriot League in tackles for loss with 7.5/game in 2017. Strong safety Antonio Jackson earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors after leading the team, and finishing second in the league, with four interceptions that season.
Perkins’ career also has stops at Louisiana-Monroe (2008-09, defensive backs), Charleston Southern (2007, defensive coordinator/linebackers; 2004-05, defensive backs/special teams), Northern Colorado (2006, linebackers/special teams), Ferris State (2002-03, defensive backs/special teams), Purdue (2000-01, GA – defensive backs) and Gateway High School (1997-99, assistant coach).
He experienced success at all stops. At Monroe, he was the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. In his second year with the Warhawks, he helped lead the top statistical defense in the Sun Belt. His 2004 Charleston Southern squad finished second in the FCS in passing defense, allowing only 131 yards per game.
At Ferris State, the Bulldogs finished atop the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in pass defense (161 ypg), and the Boilermakers reached a bowl in both seasons he was at Purdue, including the Rose Bowl in 2000 after winning the Big Ten.
A 1990 graduate of Wyoming with a degree in business marketing, he was a three-year letterwinner at running back for the Cowboys. His teams reached the Holiday Bowl in both 1987 and 1988 as a player. Current ‘Cuse Defensive Coordinator Rocky Long coached Perkins during his freshman season at Wyoming in 1985.
He and his wife Elena have two sons, Spencer and Jordan.
THE PERKINS FILE
Experience:Â 24th collegiate season/1st at Syracuse
Hometown:Â Aurora, Colo.
Alma Mater:Â Wyoming '90
Family:Â wife, Elena; sons, Spencer and Jordan
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Wyoming (1995-99)
Â
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2011 Fiesta Bowl
2001 Sun Bowl
2001 Rose Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
UConn
Andrew Adams (Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants)
Dwayne Gratz (Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles)
Byron Jones (Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins)
Obi Melifonwu (Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles)
Blidi Wreh-Wilson (Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons)
Fordham
Dylan Mabin (Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons)
Maryland
Sean Davis (Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots)
AJ Hendy (Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans)Â
Darnell Savage (Green Bay Packers)
Perkins will oversee the safeties and rovers in the Orange’s 3-3-5 scheme. He most recently spent the 2022 season at UMass, where his unit ranked in the top-10 nationally in passing defense, allowing just 175 yards per game through the air.
He has spent much of his career in the Northeast and DMV areas, with two stints, totaling seven years, at UConn as the defensive backs coach, three years at Fordham, including a year as the co-Defensive Coordinator, a year at Maryland as the defensive backs coach and one season at Old Dominion, comprising his last 13 years of coaching.
In addition to having the ninth-best passing defense in the country this season, the Minutemen defense was 12th nationally in third down defense, 25th in first downs allowed and 55th in total defense in his one season there.
Prior to UMass, Perkins spent his three years as the defensive backs coach at UConn, his second stint in the role. He previously coached the Huskies from 2010-13, where the team won a BIG EAST Championship and made the Fiesta Bowl under his watch.
Over his two stints in Storrs, the Huskies defense reached the top-10 nationally in numerous defensive statistics. His 2012 unit helped the Huskies finish the year ninth in the country and lead the BIG EAST in total defense. The 2010 squad tied for fifth nationally in interceptions and was ranked 28th in passing efficiency defense.
He coached a trio of NFL Draft picks at UConn. Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz were both selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, after spending the entirety of their careers with Perkins. He also coached 2015 first round selection Byron Jones, 2018 free agent Andrew Adams and 2017 second round NFL selection Obi Melifonwu.
In between his time in Connecticut, Perkins was the defensive backs coach at Old Dominion (2014), Maryland (2015) and Fordham (2016-18), adding a co-Defensive Coordinator role for his final season with the Rams in 2018.
In 2014, he was on staff for Old Dominion’s inaugural season at the FBS level. The Monarchs finished 6-6, but were ineligible for bowl contention due to their transition period requirement. The squad finished 4-4 vs. Conference USA competition and were led by Eriq Lewis and Reggie Owens in the backend, who combined for 73 tackles and two sacks.
He then spent the 2015 season with Maryland, before joining Fordham a year later. In 2016, Perkins guided a Fordham defensive back unit that was tops in the Patriot League, and fifth in the FCS, in defensive passing efficiency (106.61) and finished third in the league in interceptions with 13. The Rams led the Patriot League and finished 12th nationally in turnovers gained during the 2016 season. Caleb Ham and Jihad Pretlow each earned All-Patriot League honors in his first season.
Perkins helped Dylan Mabin earn All-Patriot League honors in each of the last two seasons (2017-18) and the Fordham defense led the Patriot League in tackles for loss with 7.5/game in 2017. Strong safety Antonio Jackson earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors after leading the team, and finishing second in the league, with four interceptions that season.
Perkins’ career also has stops at Louisiana-Monroe (2008-09, defensive backs), Charleston Southern (2007, defensive coordinator/linebackers; 2004-05, defensive backs/special teams), Northern Colorado (2006, linebackers/special teams), Ferris State (2002-03, defensive backs/special teams), Purdue (2000-01, GA – defensive backs) and Gateway High School (1997-99, assistant coach).
He experienced success at all stops. At Monroe, he was the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. In his second year with the Warhawks, he helped lead the top statistical defense in the Sun Belt. His 2004 Charleston Southern squad finished second in the FCS in passing defense, allowing only 131 yards per game.
At Ferris State, the Bulldogs finished atop the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in pass defense (161 ypg), and the Boilermakers reached a bowl in both seasons he was at Purdue, including the Rose Bowl in 2000 after winning the Big Ten.
A 1990 graduate of Wyoming with a degree in business marketing, he was a three-year letterwinner at running back for the Cowboys. His teams reached the Holiday Bowl in both 1987 and 1988 as a player. Current ‘Cuse Defensive Coordinator Rocky Long coached Perkins during his freshman season at Wyoming in 1985.
He and his wife Elena have two sons, Spencer and Jordan.
THE PERKINS FILE
Experience:Â 24th collegiate season/1st at Syracuse
Hometown:Â Aurora, Colo.
Alma Mater:Â Wyoming '90
Family:Â wife, Elena; sons, Spencer and Jordan
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Wyoming (1995-99)
Â
| COACHING LEDGER | ||
| Years | School | Position |
| 1997-99 | Gateway High School | Assistant Coach |
| 2000-01 | Purdue | Graduate Assistant |
| 2002-03 | Ferris State | Defensive Backs/Special Teams |
| 2004-05 | Charleston Southern | Defensive Backs/Special Teams |
| 2006 | Northern Colorado | Linebackers/Special Teams |
| 2007 | Charleston Southern | Defensive Coordinator |
| 2008-09 | Louisiana Monroe | Defensive Backs |
| 2010 | UConn | Defensive Backs |
| 2011-13 | UConn | Safeties |
| 2014 | Old Dominion | Cornerbacks |
| 2015 | Maryland | Defensive Backs |
| 2016-18 | Fordham | co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs |
| 2019-21 | UConn | Defensive Backs |
| 2022 | UMass | Defensive Backs |
| 2023-Pres. | Syracuse | Safeties/Rovers |
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2011 Fiesta Bowl
2001 Sun Bowl
2001 Rose Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
UConn
Andrew Adams (Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants)
Dwayne Gratz (Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles)
Byron Jones (Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins)
Obi Melifonwu (Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles)
Blidi Wreh-Wilson (Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons)
Fordham
Dylan Mabin (Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons)
Maryland
Sean Davis (Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots)
AJ Hendy (Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans)Â
Darnell Savage (Green Bay Packers)
Rickie Collins Interview | Duke Week
Thursday, September 25
Fran Brown Show
Thursday, September 25
Syracuse vs. Clemson | The Extended Cut
Tuesday, September 23
Fran Brown Press Conference | Duke Week
Monday, September 22
