Derek Rose has recently joined the Golden Lions in 2023 after holding a brief position at Blinn College and Texas Southern as an offensive assistant.
During his first year with the Golden Lions, the linebackers unit performed exceptionally well in the Southwestern Athletics Conference. Under Rose's guidance, Rico Dozier led the conference and the team in tackles and was named to the SWAC All-Conference First Team. Additionally, Rylan Woods, another member of Rose's linebacker unit, ranked in the top 15 and second in the team in tackles.
Before his role in Houston, Rose served as the Inside Linebackers Coach at Millsaps College from 2021 to 2023. He was instrumental in transforming an unproven group into a productive unit for a defense that showed improvement in every team defensive category during the 2022 season.
Prior to joining the Millsaps staff, Rose worked as the Outside Linebackers coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Fort Lauderdale in 2021. Before entering the college coaching ranks, Rose began his coaching career in his hometown of New Orleans, LA, at Landry-Walker High School, where he served as the linebacker's coach from 2016 to 2018. During his tenure, Rose was part of a 13-2 5A State Championship team, the first in school history.
Rose served as the Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach at Sophie B Wright Charter from 2018 to 2020. He played a significant role in guiding the school to its first-ever winning season (6-4), district title, and playoff appearance. In 2018, the defense gave up an average of 7 points per game during district play. Rose's coaching led to a school record of eight players being selected to the all-district team, with one obtaining the District Defensive MVP honor.
Rose was a standout linebacker at Northwestern State. As a sophomore, he was selected to join the Phil Steele All-American team. His 145 tackles ranked 14th nationally, marking the most at NSU since 1991. Rose became the first sophomore since 2000 (All-pro Terrence McGee) to earn All-American honors. His teammates voted him team defensive MVP.
During his junior year, Rose was named to the Associated Press All-American team and was a Buck Buchanan Award Finalist. He was also selected as a 3x Player of the Week. Rose was voted team captain and defensive MVP by his teammates.
In 2012, Rose was named to the preseason Buck Buchanan award watchlist, All-conference, and All-Louisiana team following his impressive performance, which included 102 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 1 FF. Additionally, he was voted team captain and MVP by his teammates.
A native of New Orleans, LA, Rose earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Northwestern State in December 2012.
