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Derek Branch

Recruiting Territories:
Metro Area Conferences: Tri-Metro, Suburban East
Out of State: Southern Illinois, Indiana, Texas

Branch was introduced to the Concordia coaching staff for the 2007 season. In his time at Concordia, he spent his first six years working with the offensive line prior to being appointed to running backs and tight ends for the 2013 season.

His tenure at Concordia has been highlighted by coaching former All-America left tackle Tyler Hendrickson, a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award who signed a free agent NFL contract with the Chicago Bears.

In 2014 as running backs coach, the Golden Bears bruised opponents on the ground with five 200-plus yard rushing and a pair of 300-plus rushing performances along with the NSIC's individual rushing title holder as Tre Spears carried the ball for 1,254 yards, the programs first league rushing title holder.

He came to CU after serving as a key assistant on the coaching staff at Hamline University for the previous two seasons (2005-06). Branch began his stint with the Pipers serving as an assistant coaching the defensive line for his first season. He was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2006 season where he implemented an offensive package.

Branch received his bachelor of science degree in marketing and business education in 2004 from Wisconsin-Stout where he was an All-America Honorable Mention offensive lineman in 1999 and 2000. As he finished his degree, Branch began his coaching career at UW-Stout as a student assistant.

He accepted a graduate assistant position with The University of South Dakota where he earned a master of arts degree in 2006 in health, physical education and recreation.

Derek and his wife, Shannon, have two sons, Max and Mason. Shannon works at Fair Oaks Elementary School.