Derek Hall is in his fifth year on the staff. Special teams played a major role in Delaware State’s 2007 MEAC championship run.
Last season, the Hornets were tops in the MEAC, and 18th in the nation in kickoff returns (22.74 ypr), while placekicker Peter Gaertner was tied for fifth in the nation in field goals (1.58 pg). Gaertner, a 2007 All-MEAC First Team selection, nailed a school-record 19 field goals a year ago. The Hornets blocked three opponent kicks in 2007 without allowing a block themselves.
The 2007 linebacking corps helped lead Delaware State to the top spot in the MEAC, and 13th nationally in scoring defense at 18.42 points per game. Middle linebacker Russell Reeves, a 2007 All-MEAC First Team selection, led the team with 93 total tackles last season. Outside backer Josh Pope was second on the club with 75 tackles.
In 2006, Hall’s punt return unit was No. 1 in the MEAC, and seventh in the country with a 15.5 yard-per-return average. His ’06 kickoff return team was No. 2 in the conference and 12th in the nation with a 22.5 yard average. That season, the Hornets blocked a total of seven opponent kicks, including three punts that were returned for touchdowns.
During the 2005 season, the Hornets were second among all Division I-AA teams with a 42.3 net punting average. Punter Eric Contos was a 2005 SportsNetwork First Team All-American, Sheridan broadcast Network All-American, Associated Press Second Team All-American and All-MEAC First Team selection after finishing second in Division I-AA with a 44.3 yard punting average.
Delaware State was also second in the MEAC in both punt return defense and kickoff return defense during the 2005 season. Additionally, the Hornets blocked five kicks that year.
In 2004, the Hornets were fifth in Division I-AA in kickoff return defense at 15.4 yards-per-attempt.
In addition to Reeves, the Hornets have produced a host of solid linebackers during the Hall era. Outside backer Sam Smith was a 2005 All-American and a New England Patriots signee, while inside backer Kenny Kern was picked up by the Cleveland Browns that same year.
Hall also joined DSU defensive coordinator Ray Petty on Al Lavan’s staff for the 2008 American Heritage Bowl/Navy-Marine Corps All-Star Classic in San Clemente, Calif. The Hornet coaches helped guide the Northeast All-Stars to a 24-7 victory in the contest.
Prior to joining the Delaware State staff, Hall served as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Arizona for the 2003 season.
From 2002 to ’02, he was video coordinator and offensive/defensive intern at Eastern Michigan University.
As a collegian, Hall was a member of the Arizona squad that posted a 12-1 overall record (best in school history) and a victory in the 1998 Holiday Bowl. His 1997 Arizona team earned a victory in the Insight.com Bowl.
Hall earned a bachelor’s in Dramatic Theory from Arizona in 2000. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Education.
