Derrick was a 1986 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School lettering in football, baseball and basketball for the Trojans. Following high school, he was signed by Wallace State Community College to a baseball scholarship where he lettered for two years. From Wallace he went on to the University of North Alabama to earn a degree in education and was employed by the Muscle Shoals City School System in 1990 and began an outstanding coaching career with the Trojans. Derrick coached basketball, football, softball, cross-country and golf as part of the MSHS coaching staff for 30 years. As the Head Golf Coach, he led the development of the golf program into one of the most successful in the state as evidenced by the results on the links. He led the Lady Trojan Golf Team to State Championships in 1A- 5A in 2013 and 2014. He followed that up by leading the boys' team to 6A championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Derrick was named the National Federation High Schools Alabama Girls Coach of the Year in 2013-2014 and was Boys Coach of the Year in 2016-2017. He was also named the NFHS Southeast United States Coach of the Year in boys golf for the 2016-2017 season.