This is the fourth in a series of biographies about head coaches at Dawson County schools.

Brian DeRose will head up the cross country program at Dawson County High School this season.

His teams continue to improve each year at the school. This season, the Lady Tigers have a shot at returning to state with sophomore stand out Madalyn Walters.

DeRose grew up in Worthington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus.

He started running in middle school at the age of 12. From middle school, DeRose attended Thomas Worthington High School, where he ran cross-country and track.

After lettering all four years in both sports, and setting a school record in cross country (15:52- 5K), Brian attended Marshall University on cross country and track scholarships.

While at Marshall, DeRose, just missed All-Conference selection twice, his freshman year and again his senior year, making honorable mention both times.

In 1997, DeRose helped Marshall to an Indoor Southern Conference Track Championship. 

DeRose earned a bachelors degree in marketing and a masters degree in sports marketing.  During his pursuit of graduate work at Marshall, DeRose worked as an assistant for the cross country and track programs, coaching both women’s teams.

Following his collegiate athletics, DeRose remained competitive in running and cycling.

In 1998, DeRose represented the U.S. as an amateur in the ITU World Duathlon Championships, a dual-discipline running/cycling event, in St. Wendel, Germany.  He was subsequently ranked All-American by Inside Triathlon Magazine in 1999.

He earned his teaching certificate in 2001 after working in the private sector for four years. DeRose has years of experience coaching soccer, volleyball, track, cross country and swimming.

DeRose currently teaches marketing, advanced marketing, entrepreneurship and computer science at Dawson County High School.

He enjoys spending time with his family and remains competitive as a member of the Reality Bikes Elite Cycling Team based in Cumming.