Men's Soccer
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- derose_j@mercer.edu
- Phone:
- 478-301-5213
Mercer Men's Soccer Coach Brad Ruzzo has announced the hiring of JR DeRose as the New Assistant Coach for the Bears on May 1, 2023.
Prior to returning to Macon, DeRose spent the 2022 season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. During his time with the Tar Heels, DeRose helped organized and execute goalkeeper training, and conducted video analysis and scouting of the goalkeeper position. DeRose also organized and execute team logistics and operations which included video compliance requirements, meals, travel, and managing equipment and gear for the Tar Heels. DeRose also helped organized UNC Soccer Camps by being the main point of contact with the Protection of Minors office, supervising all camp counselors and helped set up the camp itinerary.
Prior to joining the Tar Heels staff, DeRose was a volunteer Assistant Coach at Bradley University. During his time with the team, DeRose organized and participated in goalkeeper training sessions and organized training sessions for substitute, reserve, and injured players. DeRose assisted with field maintenance for gameday, this included field lining and setup, game kit laundry, and training setup and clean up.
Prior to starting his coaching career, DeRose graduated from Mercer University in December 2019 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. DeRose would return for his fifth year and graduate Magna Cum Laude with Master of Business Administration in 2021. While at Mercer, DeRose played soccer for the Bears where he was a standout goalkeeper and was named to the All-Southern Conference Second-Team in 2018 and was named the SoCon Tournament MVP in 2019. DeRose was awarded the Pinnacle Award Winner, which goes to the student-athlete with the highest GPA on Championship winning team.
DeRose helped lead the Bears to three SoCon Tournament Championship titles and three NCAA tournament berths. DeRose would graduate as the fourth-best career goals-against average and had the fourth-most shutouts in Mercer Soccer history.
