 Stapleton was known for his single-wing offense and notorious for punting on third down.He is also well known for coaching Iowa State's "Dirty Thirty" – the 1959 team that started the season with only 30 healthy players – to a 7–3 record, coming one game shy of earning a bid to the Orange Bowl.He served as Iowa State's athletic director following his coaching stint, from 1967 to 1970.