University of the Cumberlands Athletics

Derek White enters his third season as an assistant coach with the University of the Cumberlands track & field program after joining the Patriots prior to the 2024-25 season. White works primarily with the sprint and relay groups and has helped guide the Patriots to national success while developing multiple national champions and All-Americans.

Education

• Hinds Community College – Associate of General Education (2017)
• Indiana Tech – Bachelor of Business Administration and Management (2020)

Coaching Experience

• University of the Cumberlands – Associate Head Track & Field Coach (2025-Present)
• University of the Cumberlands – Assistant Track & Field Coach (2024-2025)
• Multnomah University – Head Track & Field Coach (2022-24)
• Northwest Kansas Technical College – Head Track & Field Coach (2020-22)

University of the Cumberlands Highlights

Team Success

• 2026 NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Champions
• 2025 NAIA Women's Indoor Track & Field National Champions
• 2025 & 2026 NAIA Men's Indoor National Runner-Up
• Eight Mid-South Conference Team Championships (4 Men's, 4 Women's)

Athlete Development

• 51 NAIA All-Americans
• Four Individual/Relay National Championships
  • 2025 Men's Outdoor 4x400 Relay (Iloba Godspower, Cam Andrews, Kerrington Eubanks, Jaysaun Smith, Roderick Soto)
  • 2026 Tavon Davis – Indoor 600m
  • 2026 Tavon Davis – Outdoor 400m
  • 2026 Men's Outdoor 4x100 Relay (Jordan Afolayan, Willy Mabena, Eddie van Wyk, Aarontae Wesley)
• 14 Mid-South Conference Individual Champions
• 55 Mid-South Conference All-Conference honors

Coaching Honors

• 2026 USTFCCCA NAIA Men's Outdoor National Assistant Coach of the Year
• 2025 Mid-South Conference Men's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year

Career Highlights

• 104 All-Americans coached
• Eight National Champions (4 NAIA, 4 NJCAA)
• Four National Runner-Up finishes
• Two NJCAA National Athletes of the Year
• Coached an NAIA National Record holder in the 60m
• Coached the third-fastest 4x100 relay in NAIA history
• 28 Individual Conference Champions
• 17 Cascade Conference All-Conference selections
• Three Cascade Conference champions