Thomas More University announced that Derrick McBride would be the first head Esports coach in the University’s history.
The Saints anticipate competition beginning in the spring of 2023 in League of Legends, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
McBride is a Northern Kentucky native who lives in Alexandria with his wife and son.
He attended Gateway Community and Technical College, and University of the Cumberlands, graduating in 2022 with a degree in business finance. He plans to begin his master’s program while at Thomas More.
McBride began coaching Esports in 2019 but started his coaching career in basketball in 2013. He was the assistant men’s varsity coach at the now inactive Silver Grove High School in Silver Grove, from 2013 to 2015, before moving into the same role at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas for the 2016-2017 school year.
After Highlands, McBride became the Junior Varsity men’s basketball coach at South Dearborn High School in Dearborn County, Indiana. While there, he began his Esports coaching career in 2019, helping establish the program at South Dearborn.
In 2020, he became the head Esports coach at Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell while also continuing to coach basketball. He helped lead the Tigers to the 2021 PlayVs Cup Championship in Madden and the 2022 KHSAA State Rocket League Championship.
McBride has been an avid gamer throughout his life, playing mostly on the PS5 and the Nintendo Switch. His favorite games are NBA 2K, Rocket League, and Madden.
“Being a brand-new program here at Thomas More, I am excited that I get to build the program from scratch and turn a vision into a reality,” McBride said. “The collegiate Esports scene is in its infant stages, but I strongly believe there is so much potential. I am excited to begin competition and show future students why Thomas More is the place to be. My family and I cannot thank athletic director Terry Connor and President Chillo enough for this opportunity.”