Derba named baseball head coach, media report

The Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, WABI (Channel 5), College Baseball Daily and 92.9 FM The Ticket reported Nick Derba has been named head coach of the University of Maine baseball team, effective July 1. Derba, who assumed the role as interim head coach in December 2016, becomes the team’s 25th head coach. “I’m very excited, but relief is more of what I’m feeling right now,” Derba told the BDN. “I’m ready to go. I want to keep pushing the program in the right direction.” UMaine announced a three-year contract for Derba, who has been on the coaching staff for four years. “Nick proved himself this season as interim head coach and in the national search process that began after the season ended and attracted a large group of highly qualified candidates,” said Karlton Creech, director of athletics at UMaine. “We are confident in Nick’s ability to recruit and coach high-caliber student-athletes who will be champions in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.” This past season, Derba led the Black Bears to their highest win total in four years, media reported. USA Today, The Kansas City Star and Miami Herald carried the AP report.