Derek Beard named new athletic director at Du Quoin High School

DU QUOIN - The Du Quoin School Board has chosen native son, Derek Beard, to replace the retiring John Campbell as the district's athletic director. The move is effective the start of the new fiscal year or July 1. In the meanwhile, Beard will learn more about the new job from Campbell.

"This (hire) means a lot to me," said the 32-year-old Beard, a 2003 graduate of DHS. "I am very thankful to the board and administration for their support. I consider this a challenging position but one I am looking forward to in the months ahead."

Beard's father, Lybrand, was a high school principal at Du Quoin for years. He was also a Special Education instructor and coached football and baseball. Derek seems to be following in his footsteps.

After graduating DHS, he attended both Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Special Education in 2007. He later earned a master's degree from Southern in educational administration.

After he graduated college, Beard was hired as a Special Education instructor for Tri-County Special Education. One year later, he was hired to work in the same capacity at Du Quoin Elementary School. He has bounced back-and-forth between the grade school and high school until now.

Along the way, Beard began his coaching career. He was a student assistant football coach for two seasons and then began assisting at DHS once he transferred to SIU. In 2010, Beard took over the reins as head coach of the boys track team.

"I plan to keep my coaching jobs to go along with my athletic director's position," Beard said.

Superintendent Gary Kelly said Beard was the lone internal candidate. He was chosen over external candidates.

"Derek has been involved with our athletic program as a past athlete and in his role as a teacher/coach," Kelly said. "He understands the role of athletics and extracurricular activities in the overall educational process of our students."

Beard said he likes the working relationships the coaches at the high school have with one another.

"Our goal will be to get as many kids out for athletics at both the junior high and high school as possible," he said.

Derek and his wife, Tiffanie - a Special Education instructor at Marion - have two children: Bo-4 and Beckett-2.