MEADVILLE, Pa. – Allegheny College head football coach Mark Matlak has announced the addition of two coaches to his staff for the upcoming 2015 season, as Kyle Derickson has been named offensive coordinator, and Kevin Waters offensive line coach.

Derickson comes to Allegheny after spending two years at Elmhurst College (Ill.), where he most recently served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2013 and '14 seasons.  In 2014, six members of the Blue Jays offense were recognized as all-conference players in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, highlighted by a pair of D3Football.com All-Americans in running back Josh Williams and tight end Garrett Claxon.  The Blue Jays ranked first in Division III in average time of possession, and finished in the top 30 in third-down conversions.

"I'm extremely excited to have Kyle join our staff at Allegheny," said Matlak.  "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at the Division III level to our program, and we're certainly excited about him implementing a new offensive system for us this coming fall."

A native of Barrington, Illinois, Derickson was a four-year letterwinner as a wide receiver at Butler University, and was a first team All-Conference selection as a junior and a team captain as a senior.  He began his coaching career at the high school level, serving as a receivers coach at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis for one season, and then spending three years on the staff of Barrington High School in a number of capacities.  He joined the Elmhurst staff in 2008, spending five seasons as the receivers coach, while adding on special teams/returns coordinator duties from 2010-13. In addition to his B.S. in secondary education at Butler, Derickson has a M.S. in Recreation and Sport Science from Ohio University.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at Allegheny under Coach Matlak," Derickson said.  "To become a part of this historic football program is humbling, and I am excited to help Coach Matlak get Gator football back to the top of the prestigious NCAC."

Waters, who is a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, most recently served as linebackers coach at Juniata College for two seasons, where he handled a number of responsibilities.  He was assistant video recruiter, oversaw the scout team, and served as co-camp director for the Juniata Football Prospect Camp, Youth Camp, and 7-on-7/Big-Man Camp.  The Eagles won 12 games during Waters' two seasons on the staff, while the coach saw a total of six Juniata defenders earn All-Centennial Conference honors.

"Getting to be a part of a program with a rich tradition like Allegheny College's was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Waters.  "I'm excited to work with Coach Matlak and the rest of the staff and players to help bring Gator football back to prominence."

Prior to his time at Juniata, Waters spent three seasons at Bethany College, working the 2010 and '11 seasons as the defensive line graduate assistant, before serving as outside linebackers coach in 2012.  He began his coaching career in 2009 at perennial Division III power Delaware Valley College as the assistant offensive line coach, helping the Aggies to a 10-2 mark, advancing to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.  Waters played collegiately at LaSalle University, playing 21 games and making 17 starts on the offensive line.  A 2007 All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection, Waters graduated with honors from LaSalle with a double major in marketing and management, before earning his M.A. in teaching from Bethany in 2013. 

"Being that Kevin was a Division-I offensive lineman," said Matlak, "I am certainly excited for our offensive line group this fall.  Kevin also has years of experience coaching and recruiting at the Division III level, so he should be a great fit for our football program moving forward."

The Gators open up the 2015 season on Sept. 5, when they travel to local rival Thiel for a 7 p.m. non-conference battle.