Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
JR DeRose Adds Director Of Player Development To Title
12/8/2025 1:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Assistant coach recently completed second season with Wildcats in 2025
EVANSTON, Ill. (December 8, 2025) – Northwestern men's soccer assistant coach JR DeRose has expanded his role to include the title of Director of Player Development, Wildcats' head coach Russell Payne announced on Monday. DeRose recently completed his second season with the program in 2025.
"JR has demonstrated exceptional commitment and innovative thinking in his approach to player development," Payne said. "His new title reflects his invaluable contributions to our program and our student-athletes. We are excited about the continued positive impact he will have on their development both on and off the field."
Over the course of his first two seasons in Evanston, DeRose, who works with the program's goalkeepers and defensive unit, has helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back winning campaigns. Under DeRose's tutelage, Rafael Ponce de León has rocketed up to fifth on the program's all-time shutouts leaderboard, posting nine clean sheets across the last two seasons to bring his career total in the category to 12.
"First and foremost, I am deeply thankful to Head Coach Russell Payne for the opportunity to take on a leading role in the holistic development of our student-athletes within Northwestern Men's Soccer," DeRose commented. "The environment cultivated here at Northwestern is one that provides genuine opportunities for meaningful personal, academic, and athletic growth."
Prior to joining the 'Cats, DeRose spent the 2023 season at his alma mater, Mercer University, as an assistant coach. The Peoria, Ill. native was part of a staff that guided the Bears to a Southern Conference (SoCon) Tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
DeRose cut his teeth in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops at both the University of North Carolina and Bradley University. During his time in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Tar Heels earned a berth to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
DeRose enjoyed a decorated career as a student-athlete at Mercer, backstopping the Bears to three SoCon Tournament crowns. Named a Second Team All-SoCon pick in 2018, DeRose was tabbed the most valuable player of the league tournament as a redshirt junior in 2019 after piling up 17 saves across three postseason victories.
"I believe Northwestern is the premier collegiate setting for young people to compete, learn, and mature into well-rounded leaders who strive for excellence in every facet of life," DeRose concluded. "I am excited to continue growing and serving our student-athletes within this exceptional environment."
A two-time Mercer alumnus, DeRose, who holds a U.S. Soccer C License, earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in 2019 ahead of securing his master's degree in the same field in 2020, graduating with magna cum laude honors.
"JR has demonstrated exceptional commitment and innovative thinking in his approach to player development," Payne said. "His new title reflects his invaluable contributions to our program and our student-athletes. We are excited about the continued positive impact he will have on their development both on and off the field."
JR ??
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) December 8, 2025
Assistant Coach @JrDerose13 has received the title addition of Director of Player Development! pic.twitter.com/s8xxXmdl5H
Over the course of his first two seasons in Evanston, DeRose, who works with the program's goalkeepers and defensive unit, has helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back winning campaigns. Under DeRose's tutelage, Rafael Ponce de León has rocketed up to fifth on the program's all-time shutouts leaderboard, posting nine clean sheets across the last two seasons to bring his career total in the category to 12.
"First and foremost, I am deeply thankful to Head Coach Russell Payne for the opportunity to take on a leading role in the holistic development of our student-athletes within Northwestern Men's Soccer," DeRose commented. "The environment cultivated here at Northwestern is one that provides genuine opportunities for meaningful personal, academic, and athletic growth."
Prior to joining the 'Cats, DeRose spent the 2023 season at his alma mater, Mercer University, as an assistant coach. The Peoria, Ill. native was part of a staff that guided the Bears to a Southern Conference (SoCon) Tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
DeRose cut his teeth in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops at both the University of North Carolina and Bradley University. During his time in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Tar Heels earned a berth to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
DeRose enjoyed a decorated career as a student-athlete at Mercer, backstopping the Bears to three SoCon Tournament crowns. Named a Second Team All-SoCon pick in 2018, DeRose was tabbed the most valuable player of the league tournament as a redshirt junior in 2019 after piling up 17 saves across three postseason victories.
"I believe Northwestern is the premier collegiate setting for young people to compete, learn, and mature into well-rounded leaders who strive for excellence in every facet of life," DeRose concluded. "I am excited to continue growing and serving our student-athletes within this exceptional environment."
A two-time Mercer alumnus, DeRose, who holds a U.S. Soccer C License, earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in 2019 ahead of securing his master's degree in the same field in 2020, graduating with magna cum laude honors.
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