He is one of only 21 NFL assistant coaches who have won at least one Super Bowl championship with two different teams (Baltimore and Indianapolis).
He joined the University of Southern California staff as special teams and tight ends coach from 1982–85.
Under Purnell’s leadership, kicker Matt Stover made the Pro Bowl in 2000, while kick returner Jermaine Lewis was tabbed for the honor in 2001.
Lewis had an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl XXXV win against the New York Giants.
Purnell served as special teams coach for the Indianapolis Colts under Tony Dungy from 2002–08.
In hitting all 37 field goal attempts in 2003, Vanderjagt posted only the fourth perfect season in NFL history, while earning his first Pro Bowl bid.