Steve Verbit is a veteran American football coach who has dedicated four decades to Princeton University’s football program, making him the longest-tenured coach on the Tigers’ staff. As Senior Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Verbit has been integral to Princeton’s sustained success, including coordinating the defense during the Tigers’ perfect 10-0 Ivy League championship season in 2018 — a unit that held eight of ten opponents to 14 points or fewer and ranked among the nation’s best defensively. Over his tenure, he has coached multiple Ivy League Defensive Players of the Year and finalists and has been part of eight of the program’s thirteen Ivy League title teams, playing a key role in shaping one of the top defenses in FCS competition.
Verbit’s coaching journey began after playing and coaching at the University of Delaware, where he was on staff when the Blue Hens won the 1979 Division II national championship. Since joining Princeton’s staff in the mid-1980s, he has influenced countless student-athletes while also directing Princeton’s youth football camps and serving in recruiting efforts across multiple regions. Off the field, Verbit’s impact extends through his mentorship and deep relationships with alumni and players, including his son Matt Verbit, one of Princeton’s all-time passing leaders.
