Gannon University head football coach Erik Raeburn announced the addition of T.J. Vernieri to his coaching staff just days prior to the start of preseason camp. Vernieri will work with the wide receivers.
“T.J. has experience at the college and professional levels,” related Raeburn. “He has made a positive impact on the offense at every one of his stops. We can’t wait to see the impact he will make with our talented group of receivers.”
The native of Long Valley, N.J. served as the tight ends coach and offensive quality control coach for the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL earlier this year. He helped the Breakers finish with a 7-3 record to finish second in the South Division and earn a spot in the USFL playoffs.
Prior to that Vernieri coached north of the border with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. He was an offensive assistant in 2021 and in 2022 was the running backs coach and global draft coordinator. The Stampeders finished at 12-6 in 2022 after going 8-6 in 2021. He coached CFL All-Star Ka’Deen Carey, who ran for over 1,000 yards and led the CFL in yards.
After serving as a student assistant at the University of Connecticut in 2018, Vernieri spent two seasons at Lycoming College from 2019-20 working with the wide receivers. In his first year with the Warriors, he helped mentor Academic All-MAC wide receiver Stephen Toczylousky.
Vernieri served as a student-manager at UConn in 2015 before walking on the team as a wide receiver in 2016-17. After an injury, Vernieri served as a student assistant with the Huskies in 2018.
Vernieri earned a slot on the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in both 2016-17. He was also a member of the Sports Business Association and the Business Connections Learning Community at UConn.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the Connecticut in 2018. In January 2023 he was a 2023 AFCA Under 35 Leadership Institute recipient.
