Derek Buckley enters his fourth season as an assistant coach, and second as the Recruiting Coordinator, with the women’s soccer program at Wilmington University.  During his first season, in 2012, he helped guide the Wildcats to their best season to date earning a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.  

He joined the Wildcats staff after completing a successful four-year soccer career at the College of William and Mary [in Virginia].  As one of the school record six freshmen starters, Buckley helped the W&M Tribe set a program-best shutouts in CAA play posting its best league record in five years. The team had a 1.00 goals-against average and tied the school record for shutouts. The following year the Tribe reached 25^th in the NSCAA season poll winning the most CAA games in five years and matching the school record of conference victories set 13 years prior. The following two seasons Buckley assisted the squad to a CAA regular season and conference tournament titles, a third round appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and a final season rankings of 9^th in the nation. For his efforts, he earned 2010 Most Valuable Player, First-Team All-State (VaSID) for all schools in Virginia, First-Team ECAC All-Star, Third-Team All-South Atlantic Region, First Team All-CAA, Old Dominion/Stihl Classic and All-CAA All-Tournament teams, and Top Drawer National Player/Defender of the Week.

A native and local product of Delaware, Buckley attended and graduated from The Tatnall School in Wilmington. As an eighth grade starter, three year captain, and a five year letter winner. He started 93 consecutive games during his time with the Hornets and guided them to one DIAA State Championship and four conference titles. Buckley earned First Team All-Conference honors four times and First Team All-State honors three years during his time with the Hornets. He was voted the team MVP each of his final three seasons, as well as the MVP of the Delaware Senior Blue-White All-Star game in 2006.

In club, Buckley was a member of the local Concord Roma travel team. They were able to win seven Delaware State championships, and finished as high as the Semifinals in the Regional tournament. Additionally, Derek was a member of the Delaware ODP selection program from 2001-2005. He was voted the captain of that team in 2001, 2002, and 2005.

He began his coaching career in 2009 as a volunteer assistant with the Hockessin Soccer Club in Delaware, now called the Delaware Rush. Buckley spent part of three seasons with Hockessin and was involved in all aspects of the program including training, game scouting, and administration duties for league, tournament, and regional play.  In 2011, he spent one season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Kennett Square high school men’s team in Pennsylvania helping with training, mentoring, and organization.

Buckley earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree at Wilmington University.  In addition, he holds a USYSA National D license.