Vernon Dupree enters his sixth season at Delaware State University in 2026-27 and his 17th season in collegiate coaching, bringing nearly two decades of experience at the collegiate level.
A Wilmington, Delaware native, Dupree has been a key contributor to the continued growth of the Delaware State men’s basketball program since joining the Hornets’ staff. His tenure has included some of the program’s most successful seasons in more than a decade, highlighted by postseason success, consistent player development and multiple All-MEAC performers.
After back-to-back 15-plus-win seasons, Dupree helped guide the Hornets through the 2025-26 season, which culminated in one of the program’s most memorable postseason victories. Delaware State entered the MEAC Tournament as the No. 7 seed and defeated No. 2 seed Morgan State, 75-70 in overtime, to advance to the semifinals. The Hornets also produced a Second Team All-MEAC selection during the season.
In 2024-25, Dupree and the Hornets finished 16-14, recording the program’s highest win total in more than a decade. The season marked Delaware State’s second consecutive 15-plus-win campaign and continued the program’s upward trajectory. The Hornets also produced three All-MEAC selections, including First Team, Second Team and Third Team honorees.
The 2023-24 season marked another significant milestone in Dupree’s Delaware State tenure. The Hornets finished 15-19 and advanced to the MEAC Tournament championship game for the first time since 2014-15. Delaware State produced three All-MEAC selections, including First Team, Second Team and Third Team honorees, while also producing the conference’s Rookie of the Year.
Throughout his Delaware State tenure, Dupree has established a strong track record of developing student-athletes into impactful conference performers. From 2023-24 through 2025-26, his players earned seven All-MEAC selections, including First Team, Second Team and Third Team honors. His players have also earned major conference recognition, including MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22.
Prior to Delaware State, Dupree spent 11 seasons at Wilmington University from 2010-21, helping the program advance to the conference championship game in 2014-15 while contributing to the recruitment and development of numerous All-CACC performers. His players included Tyaire Ponzo-Meek, who was named the 2016-17 CACC Player of the Year.
Dupree’s coaching career is complemented by his experience as a collegiate student-athlete. He began his playing career at American International College before transferring to Wilmington University, where he earned All-CACC honors and received the Philadelphia Small College Basketball Association’s Sam Cozen Award.
Dupree earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Wilmington University in 2010 before completing an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Leadership in 2014.
A lifelong Delaware native, Dupree is committed to developing student-athletes on and off the court while contributing to the growth and long-term success of the programs he serves. He resides in Wilmington with his wife, Paris, their son, Cairo, and daughter, Austyn.
