As many readers know, from time to time, we attempt to connect with different people who have affiliations with college sports. Over the years, this has allowed us to talk to athletic directors, SIDs, broadcasters, equipment managers, consultants, and even conference commissioners. Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Derichard R McCoy, Ed.D. Derichard has an interesting story and is committed to impacting the lives of young students and athletes. He accomplishes this in various ways and through his work, he has the goal of bridging the gap between the Power Conferences and Group of 5 and HCBU conferences. Read about his story below.

MWCConnection: Please introduce yourself. What is your background in sports, and did you play in college?

Derichard: Absolutely. I’m Dr. Derichard McCoy, an educator, author, consultant, and former collegiate football player. My journey into sports wasn’t typical. I graduated from high school with a 1.4 GPA and didn’t start on my high school football team. Despite those setbacks, I refused to let my story end there. I walked on at Livingstone College, a Division 2 program, and eventually earned a football scholarship, playing offensive tackle on the 1997 and 1998 CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Conference Championship teams. Our 1997 team, which went undefeated (10-0), was later inducted (2018) into the Livingstone College Athletic Hall of Fame. That experience taught me that potential is only unlocked through perseverance, preparation, and purpose, values I now instill in others.

MWCConnection: You founded Football I-Q to help parents and offensive line recruits navigate the college recruiting process. What inspired you to start this initiative, and what is Football I-Q’s mission?

Derichard: Football I-Q was born out of both personal experience and professional observation. As a former offensive lineman who was overlooked, I understand firsthand how difficult it is to get noticed when you don’t play a “highlight-reel” position. I saw a void in how offensive linemen were recruited and mentored. That’s why I created Football I-Q, a strategic consulting and mentorship platform designed to help athletes, especially linemen, take control of their recruiting journey. We use my proprietary P.U.S.H. Framework, Playing Time, Up-Leveling, School Fit, and Hype to equip players with a proven blueprint for success. Football I-Q operates under one core belief: “Recruiting Reinvented. Greatness Engineered.” It’s more than exposure, it’s about empowering athletes and families to make smart, sustainable decisions.

MWCConnection: What do you enjoy most about working with athletes and families, and how do you guide them through the recruiting process?

Derichard: I truly enjoy the transformation, watching athletes go from unsure and overlooked to confident and committed. My work involves mentoring both the athlete and the family by helping them understand the recruiting timeline, evaluate the right schools, develop effective communication with coaches, and create a standout highlight film. I’m also heavily involved in preparing them for interviews, campus visits, and eligibility requirements. What sets Football I-Q apart is that I don’t just give advice, I walk alongside them through the entire journey, tailoring the strategy to fit their unique goals and challenges.

MWCConnection: Tell us about your book, The P.U.S.H. Playbook. What inspired you to write it, and what can readers expect?

Derichard: The P.U.S.H. Playbook: The Offensive Lineman’s Blueprint for Recruiting Success is the culmination of decades of experience as a player, coach, educator, and consultant. I wrote the book because too many linemen, and their families, are navigating recruiting in the dark. They’re either misinformed or overlooked. This book shines a light on what actually works. It breaks down each pillar of the P.U.S.H. Framework in detail and includes real-world strategies, case studies, mindset shifts, and actionable steps. It’s not just a recruiting manual, it’s a mindset guide, career compass, and confidence builder for athletes who are ready to take ownership of their future.

MWCConnection: In addition to Football I-Q, you’re a professor at Benedict College. What do you teach, and how did that opportunity come about?

Derichard: I currently serve as an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Benedict College, where I teach courses in Sport Analytics, Sport Leadership, and Governance & Ethics in Sport. The opportunity came from my commitment to lifelong learning and leadership. I earned my Doctor of Education in Sport Management with an emphasis in Leadership from the United States Sports University. My dissertation, “Group of Five Conferences: An Impaired Perception Within the Football Bowl Subdivision,” explored systemic inequities in college football’s hierarchy, particularly how Group of Five programs are undervalued compared to Power Four programs. Teaching at an HBCU allows me to mentor students who, like me, are looking to defy the odds and lead the next generation of sports innovation.

MWCConnection: What do you enjoy most about teaching, and what key lessons do you hope to impart to your students?

Derichard: Teaching gives me the privilege to impact lives at scale. I enjoy seeing students evolve, from being unsure of their career path to discovering their passion in the sports industry. I encourage students to think beyond traditional roles and understand how emerging sectors, like NIL, sports analytics, and digital branding, are reshaping the industry. My goal is to equip them not just with academic knowledge, but with real-world readiness. I want them to graduate not only with a degree, but with a direction.

MWCConnection: What career opportunities can a sports management degree unlock for students today?

Derichard: A sports management degree is incredibly versatile. Graduates can pursue careers in:

Sports Marketing and Event Promotion

Focuses on promoting teams and events to boost fan engagement, ticket sales, and sponsorships through strategic campaigns and activations.

Coaching and Player Development

Involves training athletes to improve performance, build skills, and develop leadership both on and off the field.

NIL and Athlete Branding Strategy

Helps athletes grow and monetize their personal brands through social media, endorsements, and strategic partnerships.

Sport Analytics and Performance Technology

Uses data and technology to enhance athlete performance, injury prevention, recruiting, and strategic decision-making.

Facility and Event Operations

Manages sports venues and events, including logistics, staffing, budgeting, and fan experience.

Sports Media, Broadcasting, and Content Creation

Creates and delivers content for TV, radio, and digital platforms to inform, entertain, and engage sports audiences.

Compliance, Legal Affairs, and Governance

Ensures organizations follow rules, manage contracts, and maintain ethical and legal standards in sports operations.

The sports industry continues to expand, and this degree prepares students to lead in both traditional and emerging roles.

MWCConnection: With college athletics evolving rapidly, how do you adapt your teaching to keep students prepared?

Derichard: Every semester presents a new challenge and a new opportunity. The rise of NIL, realignment, the transfer portal, and AI are fundamentally changing how college athletics operates. I integrate current events into my lectures, use real-time case studies, and bring industry experts into the classroom. My students don’t just study change, they learn to lead it. That’s the kind of preparation today’s sports landscape demands.

MWCConnection: You also work as a consultant. Is your consulting focused solely on recruiting, or does it extend into other areas?

Derichard: While recruiting is at the heart of Football I-Q, my consulting spans athlete development, team branding, program building, and AI integration. I’m currently leading a research initiative at Benedict College that uses predictive modeling and artificial intelligence to improve scouting, development, and recruiting, especially for under-resourced programs. My goal is to close the gap between Power Four and Group of Five/HBCU programs through innovation and strategic insight.

MWCConnection: What is the most rewarding part of your work, and how are your various roles connected?

Derichard: Whether I’m in the classroom, mentoring an athlete, or consulting with a program, the core purpose is transformation. I help people discover and develop their full potential. Every role I take on is connected by a single mission: creating systems of support and success for those who need it most. I consider myself a bridge-builder between dreams and execution.

MWCConnection: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your line of work?

Derichard: One major challenge is combating misinformation and unrealistic expectations, especially in recruiting. Many families believe the process is solely about talent when, in reality, it’s about academics, exposure, relationships, and strategy. Another challenge is ensuring students remain future-focused in a fast-changing world. And on a personal note, balancing multiple responsibilities while being a present husband and father takes intentional planning and discipline.

MWCConnection: What’s something people often misunderstand about your work?

Derichard: People often assume that my work is all about sports, but that’s just the surface. What I really do is help young people develop identity, build character, and map out their future. Whether through a book, a class, or a one-on-one call, I’m preparing individuals for life after the game. Sports is the platform, but people are the purpose.

MWCConnection: What’s something you’ve learned about college athletics that surprised you?

Derichard: I’ve learned that talent is never the whole story. The athletes who succeed at the next level are often those with the best plan, not just the best performance. Strategy, exposure, and mindset often outweigh raw ability. And too often, underserved athletes fall through the cracks simply because they don’t know how to navigate the system. That’s why I do what I do: to give them a map.

MWCConnection: What advice would you give to someone who wants to play college sports, become a professor, or enter sports consulting?

Derichard:

Aspiring college athletes: Control what you can, your academics, your training, your character. Start early, build a plan, and seek mentorship.

Future professors: Commit to lifelong learning and gain real-world experience. Students respond to authenticity and relevance.

Aspiring consultants: Identify a gap in the market, develop a solution, and build your brand around impact. Results and reputation will do the talking.

Final Thoughts

Derichard: Everything I do, whether through The P.U.S.H. Playbook, Football I-Q, or Benedict College, is grounded in transformation. My story is proof that setbacks are setups for comebacks. Now, I help others build their blueprint for success, one decision at a time.

Follow Derichard and IQ-Football: @DrCoach_EdD, @Football_1Q