YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Former Eastern Michigan University swimming and diving standout Derick Roe has been named an assistant swimming coach, EMU Head Coach Peter Linn announced today, Aug. 26.
“We are excited to welcome Derick,” Linn stated. “It’s wonderful to have him back on the pool deck with us. He brings great enthusiasm, along with his head coaching experience with him.”
Since leaving Ypsilanti, Roe has made coaching stops at Ashland Unversity, Ohio University, Colgate University, Ypsilanti Otters Swim Club, and Greenhills High School, totaling nearly 10 years of experience.
Most recently, Roe served as the head coach at Ashland where he coached the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Female Swimmer of the Year and the GLIAC Male Freshman of the Year, as well as three NCAA All-Americans.
Prior to his two-year stop at Ashland, he spent two seasons at Ohio where he was an assistant coach before taking over as interim head coach in the 2013-14 season. During his time in Athens, Roe was in charge of the coordinating of recruiting, creation of sprint water workouts, and various other responsibilities. Roe coached athletes to the NCAA Championships, as well as a MAC record during his tenure with the Bobcats.
Roe’s first collegiate coaching job came at Colgate, where he was an assistant coach. There, he coached the 2011 Patriot League Swimmer of the Year and a total of 15 varsity and two Patriot League records.
Before he jumped to the college ranks, Roe was a swimming coach for the Ypsilanti Otters Swim Club. Coaching athletes from ages 5-18, Roe taught and developed stroke techniques and created workout plans.
Roe’s coaching career began nearby, at Greenhills High School in Ann Arbor in 2008. In two seasons at Greenhills, Roe planned and developed workouts, as well as created meet lineups.
One of the most decorated swimmers in program history, Roe fueled the Eagles to three Mid-American Conference Championships. A four-year letterwinner at Eastern Michigan under Linn, Roe was a two-time All-American, as well as a two-time MAC Swimmer of the Year. His name appears in the program’s top-10 best times twice, highlighted by his school and MAC record time of 19.57 in the 50 freestyle.
Roe was a double major at Eastern Michigan, earning his Bachelor’s degree in history, as well electronic media and film studies in 2010.
The Derick Roe File
Name: Derick Charles Roe
High School: Sidney High School – Sidney, Ohio
College: Eastern Michigan University – Bachelor’s degree in electronic media and film studies and history – 2010
Professional Experience
Year School/Team Position
2014-16 Ashland University Head Swimming and Diving Coach
2015 Texas A&M University Swim Camp Coach
2013-14 Ohio University Interim Head Swimming and Diving Coach
2012-13 Ohio University Assistant Swimming Coach
2010-12 Colgate University Assistant Swimming Coach
2009-10 Ypsilanti Swim Otters Swimming Coach
2008-10 Greenhills High School Swimming Coach
2007-08 University of Michigan Swim Camp Coach
This swimming story is courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletics.
Derick is a good sprint coach and a great person. He has a way of relating to the swimmers that will be a real asset to EMU. Ohio really missed out by not keeping him and hiring the sub-standard coach and person they have now.
I heard their first choice found another job before they made the offer, hopefully Mr. Roe is a great fit for the EMU team.
Mr. Roe never made NCAA’s. How do you become an All American without making the meet?