By Joanna Chadwick
Corey Koch, Derby’s new head cross country coach, brings a unique blend of experience and discipline to the Panthers.
Koch is a 15-year military veteran who coached most recently at McMurry University, a Division III school in Abilene, Texas.
Koch was named head coach in 2023 of the cross country program after serving as the assistant since 2021.
While at McMurry, Koch helped coach seven conference championship titles as well as being named to eight conference coaching staff of the year awards.
Koch was extremely pivotal in helping the women’s program secure their second and third conference titles in 2021 and 2022, while helping lead the men’s program to their first conference championship since 2000.
Now with the Panthers, Koch looks to bring the same mentality he had at his old school to Derby.
“Not focusing on others, but being better than you were yesterday, last month, last year, not just performance, but in the effort you put into everything in life,” Koch said. “
Koch will look to stamp his spot in Derby athletics and will do so with a good nucleus of returners. Junior Ben Perry, and sophomore Ellie Rinn, will look to lead both programs from an athlete standpoint.
