After Fort Scott, Verdugo was named the head coach for the Fort Hays Tigers located in Hays, Kansas. He has held that position from 2005 to the end of the 2010 season and was the 22nd football coach at the school. His career coaching record at Fort Hays was 18 wins and 47 losses.[2]
After the end of the 2010 season when the team produced a record of 3–8, it was announced that he would not return for the 2011 season.[3]