Head coach Landon Fox has announced the addition of Barry Derickson to the Valparaiso University football coaching staff as tight ends coach.

Derickson has coached collegiately at a variety of schools, most recently serving as the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas from July 2019 to February 2020. He aided the development of three offensive linemen who earned all-conference accolades, helped his team to a conference championship and contributed to the No. 1 offense in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Derickson’s additional duties at Navarro included coordinating community service and travel.

“I am excited to join the Valparaiso football program,” Derickson said. “Coach Fox is creating something special here, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Having been a head coach and been a part of multiple programs that have turned into championship teams, I can tell you that what we’re building here is great.”

Prior to arriving at Navarro, Derickson served as the defensive line coach at Wisconsin Stevens Point (July 2018 – July 2019) while also filling the roles of travel and fundraising coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator. He previously served as a quality control analyst at Eastern Kentucky University (January 2018 to July 2018), the head football coach at Oconto Falls High School in Wisconsin (July 2016 to January 2018) and the co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas (July 2014 to July 2016).

“Coach Derickson fits what we’re looking for whenever we make a hire for our coaching staff,” Fox said. “We want candidates who are intelligent and possess a desire to influence the lives of our young men. Those traits showed through during the interview process. I’m also excited about his level of experience. He’s coached at the Division-I scholarship level, been a head coach at the high-school level and played Division-III football. He has a strong understanding of our identity in the Pioneer Football League. It’s exciting to have that kind of experience join us at the tight end coaching position.”

Derickson started his coaching tenure as the tight ends and inside wide receivers coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (February 2011 to July 2013) before serving as a graduate assistant director of operations at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas (July 2013 – May 2014).

During his head coaching stint at Oconto Falls, Derickson helped eight players achieve all-conference honors in just two years. He rebuilt the team dynamic and culture during his time guiding the program. While at Howard Payne, Derickson led an offense that set a conference record for single-game total offense and ranked among the top 25 nationally in fewest sacks allowed. He guided five linemen to all-conference recognition.

At Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Derickson’s offense ranked fifth nationally in Division-III. His team was ranked fourth in the nation and won a conference title while finishing 13-1 in 2013. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2013 before earning his master’s from Angelo State in 2015. During his undergraduate tenure, Derickson was a left tackle for the Titans from 2008-2011.

What They’re Saying About Coach Derickson

Todd Throckmorton, Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach, Southeastern Oklahoma State University: “Coach Derickson is a great addition to the football coaching staff at Valparaiso. He is a detailed coach who builds great relationships with his players. He has experience coaching on both sides of the football and has been a head coach at the high school level. These coaching experiences have made him an excellent teacher and coach. He is a tireless recruiter who will turn over every stone looking for talent for the football program. This is a great hire as tight ends coach.”

Tommy Zagorski, Offensive Coordinator, University of Akron: “Barry is a great, hungry football coach. He’s coached on both sides of the football and has already been a head coach. His attention to detail and his players are second to none. Barry is a riser in the profession who truly loves teaching not only X’s and O’s, but utilizing football as an agent to learn about life. The entire Valpo community is lucky to have him.”

Hunter Sims, Director of Athletics, Howard Payne University: “Coach Derickson sets a high standard and expectation for his student-athletes to be great men, great students and great athletes. He has had tremendous success as a coach.”