“Every coach I’ve had as a player made a difference in my life,” Derek Moore, newly-hired offensive line coach explained. “You don’t get a chance to make a difference like that in the business world, so any chance you get to come out here and make a difference in a kid’s life on a daily basis it’s worth it.”

Moore is the Lion’s newest addition. He will be joining the Southern football team as the offensive line coach.

“The people I’ve talked to recommended him very highly,” Head Football Coach Daryl Daye said. “The thing I liked most about him is that he is a guy that was very close to his players, he had a very good rapport with his offensive linemen and we need that.”

Moore started his coaching career at Ellsworth Community college in 1999. He spent two seasons as the defensive and offensive line coach while also coaching strength and conditioning.

After spending a season at Iowa Central Community College and another season at Ames High school, Moore spent two years working as St. Cloud State University’s assistant strength and conditioning coach.In 2005, while coaching strength and conditioning, Moore took over as offensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Lincoln University.  

The following season, Moore spent three seasons as assistant offensive and recruiting coordinator Upper Iowa University.

Moore spent the next year as an assistant defensive line at All-Missouri Valley Football Conference school Northern Iowa. Moore worked with the defensive tackles.

“I was always motivated when I was an athlete because I was always worried somebody else was working harder,” Moore said. “It still motivates me as a coach. I was always wondering what my opponent was doing while I was out running. He might be running a little longer, so I’m going to push further. What’s the O-line coach doing at Pitt State? Well, I’m going to try and do it better! That’s what motivates me. I’m going to find a way to do it better myself.”

Moore joins the Lions after coaching three seasons of Division I football at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill.