Derek Waugh went from the youngest Division I head coach in the country when he took over the Stetson program in 2000 to the most tenured coach in the Atlantic Sun Conference and the third most tenured Division I coach in the state of Florida. He ranks third all-time in wins at Stetson, second in wins in the Division I era and first in career conference wins. Overall, the Hatters have won 38 of their last 53 home games under Waugh and have set three school records in the modern era for win streaks in the last four years (overall, road and home). Waugh has recently joined the administration ranks and now serves as Assistant Athletic Director at Stetson.
Waugh, who has gained national notoriety for leaving a lucrative law practice to become a basketball coach, had an outstanding four-year basketball career at Furman University (1989-93). He played in 114 total games and finished his career as one of only four players in school history to score 1,400 points and grab 850 rebounds.
As a senior (1992-93) with the Paladins, Waugh was named team MVP, first-team All-Southern Conference and earned CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-America (3rd-team) honors. During the 1990-91 season, Waugh helped Furman to a 20-9 record and a berth in the NIT. He was also named the SoCon Freshman of the Year (1989-90), and Young Alumnus of the Year (2001).
A native of Atlanta, Waugh’s success on the basketball court began in high school where he led Marist to four straight AAA Georgia State Championship games. In 1989 he was named the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament as Marist won its first-ever high school championship. He, Matt Harpring (Utah Jazz) and noted San Francisco financier Blair Ford are the only Marist basketball players in the school’s Hall of Fame. Waugh holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Furman (1993) and a juris doctorate from Wake Forest (1996).
He and his wife, Mary, have three children, Sophia, Luke and Jack.
Derek Waugh, assistant athletic director at Stetson University, is available through IMG Speakers Bureau for speaking engagements. Derek Waugh is also available for motivational meetings and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Derek Waugh.
