CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Paul Derrick, who played wide receiver at Austin Peay from 2002-04, has been hired as assistant football coach with Austin Peay State University, head coach Rick Christophel announced Thursday.

Derrick, who also was a graduate assistant under Christophel during the 2007 season, will work with the Govs secondary. He replaces Dainon Sidney, who resigned last week.

"It was a logical hire," said Christophel. "He's worked for us before and he played here. He knows the system and has a great report with Coach (Granville) Eastman, our defensive coordinator.  We hired him because he knows about Austin Peay and what we're trying to get done here. He'll be loyal to the program, staff and players.

Derrick coached at the high school level during his time away from Austin Peay, serving as an assistant coach at Father Ryan (2009-10) and Harding Academy (2008). As a graduate assistant at Austin Peay, Derrick assisted with the program's linebackers and ran the offensive scout team.

As a Govs' wide receiver, he caught 75 career pass for 942 yards and five TDs, including a career-best 39 receptions as a senior in 2004. Derrick was on the receiving end of 91-yard scoring toss in 2003. He also threw a 25 yard score.

-AP-