Austin Peay State University Athletics

Derrick Dunbar, a former four-year letterwinner for the Govs, begins his sixth season as assistant coach at his alma mater.

Responsible for the Governors hitters as well as outfield defense, Dunbar was elevated to recruiting coordinator during the 2014 offseason. In addition, he works with player placement on teams in summer collegiate-level wooden bat leagues to hone and improve their skills during the summer months.

Dunbar brings a dimension of energy and enthusiasm in his philosophy and teaching of the offensive game and has shown an excellent ability to evaluate talent. In his five seasons at Austin Peay, he has coached the program’s first Player of the Year (Craig Massoni) since 1996 and five players who have surpassed 200 career hits. In his 15-plus seasons as an assistant coach, Dunbar has worked with 37 players who have gone on to the professional ranks.

Thanks to Dunbar’s guidance, the Govs made a smooth transition to BBCOR bats in 2011, with their team average dipping by just five points. However, that was the 55th-best batting average in Division I that season and up from a 151st ranking the season prior.

Preaching patience at the plate, Dunbar saw the Govs lead the OVC in on-base percentage during both the 2012 and 2013 seasons after they ranked second among OVC teams in that statistic his first season with APSU (2011). In addition, the Govs have ranked among the nation’s top 60 teams in on-base percentage each of the last four seasons.

The Govs patience at the plate hasn’t hurt their power numbers as they have ranked among Division I’s top 60 (out of nearly 300 teams) in home runs, slugging percentage and runs scored each of his first five seasons. Austin Peay’s offense finished the 47-win 2013 campaign ranked among the nation’s top 50 in 15 statistical categories.

Prior to his return to Austin Peay, Dunbar spent two seasons as an assistant at the University of Memphis, where he instructed the infielders and assisted with hitting instruction. He also was instrumental in overseeing the program’s summer and winter camps, summer high school tournaments and fall instructional league.

Before heading to Memphis, Dunbar was an assistant at Jackson State Community College under head coach Steve Cornelison, also an APSU baseball alumnus. While there he had the responsibility of being the Generals’ recruiting coordinator, hitting coach as well as working with infielders.

A former Governor, Dunbar played four seasons (1999-2002) at first base and as a pitcher. He appeared in 124 games, including 31 starts in a senior campaign in which he played only first base and saw him hit .289 with 14 RBI. On the mound, Dunbar made 25 appearances in his first three seasons, compiling a 2-1 record and a 5.67 ERA.

Dunbar has extensive ties in the Clarksville community, graduating from Northwest High School in 1997 as a four-year letterwinner at first base and pitcher. After his Austin Peay playing career, he began his coaching career as assistant coach at his prep alma mater in 2003. He then was hired by his former high school coach – and APSU alumnus – Jason Rice at Rossview High School for the 2004 campaign. Dunbar returned to Austin Peay as a volunteer assistant in 2005 before being hired at Jackson State Community College.