GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University has been selected as a host for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Coaching Internship Program. Derrick Roberson, Jr. will serve as an assistant defensive backs and assistant special teams coach on the Profs' staff for the 2014 season.
"We are excited that Rowan has once again been selected for the NFLPA Coaching Internship Program," said head coach Jay Accorsi. "This is a very prestigious honor for our football program and it will be our third such intern. Derrick will be working with our defensive coaches and specifically with our defensive backs. He also has a strong passion for special teams and I know his experiences in that area will be an invaluable asset to our coaches and players."
The NFLPA Coaching Internship Program was introduced in 2006 as a NFLPA and NFL Player Development Department initiative. The program is designed to expose retired players to the inner workings of the coaching profession and provide them with an opportunity to network in the field, while learning and building through their experiences.
"It means a lot for me to be able to play this game and give back," said Roberson. "I'm passionate about football and always knew I would get in to coaching. I coach through my foundation (DRJ Foundation) for at risk youth in the Ft. Lauderdale area and I'm looking forward to working with the great staff at Rowan University. This is a tremendous program to work with."
Roberson was an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2007. He made his NFL debut on November 15, 2009 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In one season with the Bucs, he played in six games, made three tackles and tallied two pass defenses. He played two games for the Cleveland Browns in 2010.
"Derrick played college football right up the road at Rutgers University and is an NFL veteran," commented Accorsi. "When you speak with Derrick, you immediately get the sense of his strong belief in how football can help young men grow, develop and find themselves."
Roberson competed in 42 contests at Rutgers University and as a senior he saw action in nine. For his career, he had 123 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 13 pass defenses and three fumble recoveries. He returned an interception for a touchdown versus Illinois and made 20 total tackles that season. In his junior year, Roberson recorded 51 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He played in all 11 games as a sophomore and had 38 tackles and three tackles for a loss. In Roberson's freshman campaign, he saw time in 10 games, making 14 tackles.
