JR DeRose begins his second season with the Northwestern University men's soccer program in 2025. DeRose, also serves as the program's Director of Player Development, works primarily with the Wildcats' goalkeepers and defensive unit.

Prior to his arrival at Northwestern, DeRose served as an assistant coach at Mercer University. He helped lead the Bears to a 2023 Southern Conference Tournament Championship, punching their ticket to the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

DeRose also served as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina, working primarily with the goalkeepers with the Tar Heels. During his time in Chapel Hill, UNC earned a berth in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. DeRose has also served as the Director of Goalkeeping at Triangle United Soccer Academy and was a volunteer assistant at Bradley. DeRose recently completed his U.S. Soccer C License.

As a player, DeRose helped lead Mercer to three Southern Conference Tournament titles (2016, 2017, and 2019). DeRose was an all-conference selection in 2018 and was named Southern Conference Tournament MVP in 2019.

DeRose earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration and a Master's of Business Administration from Mercer University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.