Summary: Coach Nick Derba is the Head Baseball Coach at the University of Maine. Derba served as interim head coach at UMaine during the 2016-17, guiding UMaine to its highest win total in four years (25). In America East Championship play, Derba led the Black Bears to four straight wins, earning a berth in the title game. The impressive stretch run marked the first time since 2013 that UMaine appeared in the league championship. Derba also mentored a pair of all-conference selections and two America East all-rookie team members. Derba was promoted to associate head coach in 2015. During his first three seasons at UMaine, he served as the team's recruiting and summer camp coordinator. He also was directly involved in UMaine baseball's community outreach efforts, including fundraising for the Vs. Cancer Foundation, and team visits to Eastern Maine Medical Center, Old Town YMCA and local schools. Prior to joining the UMaine community, Derba was the hitting and catchers coach for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League in summer 2013 — the same team that he played for from 2004-06. During the 2012 season, he was a volunteer at Manhattan College after working with the Jasper catchers in the 2010 and 2011 off-seasons. In the 2007 Major League Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Derba in the 31st round. He played six years in the Cardinal system, advancing as high as AAA Memphis (PCL). In 2012, he was a member of the Texas League champion Springfield Cardinals. From 2008-12, Derba spent significant time in the Cardinals Major League spring training camp. After the 2012 season, he retired to pursue a coaching career. Derba had a highly decorated playing career at Manhattan College, where he was honored as a three-time All-MAAC first team catcher. He was the only three-year captain in Manhattan baseball history and still ranks among the school's all-time leaders in career home runs, hits, runs scored, games played and RBIs.
