Derkacz comes to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season after spending the 2023 season as an assistant coach at Michigan State, where he helped lead the Spartans to a 14-5 record and their second consecutive Big Ten title. Michigan State advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after earning an at-large bid for the second consecutive year.

Derkacz arrived at Michigan State from Buffalo, where he was on the staff for nine seasons including the last six as associate head coach. Derkacz’s responsibilities for the Bulls included serving as the primary coach for the field players, recruiting coordinator and prospect camp coordinator.

While at Buffalo, Derkacz helped lead the Bulls during a historic season in 2022 that saw the program claim its second regular-season Mid-American Conference championship and second-ever MAC Tournament title. Buffalo went on to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history. Derkacz’s efforts helped the Bulls to a program-record 17-match unbeaten streak that included 14 shutouts, tied for most in Buffalo history.

So far in his career, Derkacz has recruited and developed four All-Americans, 20+ All-Region and  50+ All-Conference players.

Derkacz played collegiately at both Penn State and Buffalo. He graduated from Buffalo in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.

Derkacz and his wife Danielle, both hail from Hamburg, New York.