- 4x U SPORTS Coach of the Year
- Part of 22 U SPORTS national championship-winning teams
- Coaching staff of Canadian National team for World Championships (2008 & 2009)
- Head Coach of Canadian National team for FISU Games (2019)
- Inducted into the UBC Big Block Hall of Fame 2014
Derrick Schoof was officially announced as the head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds swimming program on May 26, 2020. The familiar face operated as the interim head coach last season and only added to his already impressive legacy with the program in guiding the men's and women's teams to a fourth consecutive national title sweep this past February in Victoria.
2021-2022:
Schoof led the UBC swimming program to great success in the 2021-22 season as the men captured their fifth straight U SPORTS national title while the women took home a U SPORTS Silver.
It was the Vancouver natives third season since returning to the 'Birds coaching staff and over this most recent span he's known nothing but success in winning a total of six national championships, four as assistant coach, and the latest two as head coach.
Schoof, who was a solid swimmer for the blue and gold in his own right, is in the midst of his second stint as head coach of the T-Birds and looks forward to furthering the storied program's lofty heights.
"I am honoured to be named head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds swim team," said Schoof. "This team means everything to me and I am grateful for the opportunity to help mold the next wave of T-Birds swimmers. I am thrilled to be able to continue our tradition of excellence here and produce incredible student athletes as they make my role extremely exciting and rewarding."
Schoof is no stranger to the Point Grey campus, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from UBC followed up by a Chartered Professional Coaching Certification from the National Coaching Institute (University of Victoria).
That Certification was quickly put to use. From 1996 to 2006 Schoof was a part of the UBC swimming coaching staff as an assistant coach before serving as the program's head coach from 2006 to 2009. During his time at UBC, Schoof was part of 22 CIS (now U SPORTS) national championship winning teams, including the 2007 and 2009 men's and 2007 and 2008 women's national title squads as head coach.
In 2014 Schoof was inducted into the UBC Hall of Fame along with the swimmers and coaching staff from UBC swimming's "Decade of Dominance" that saw the men's and women's teams win 10 consecutive CIS championships from 1998 to 2007 while also producing 42 international competitors.
Schoof brings with him a wealth of experience on the international stage. Most recently selected as head coach for Team Canada at the 2019 FISU Summer Games last July in Naples, Italy, Schoof was also named to the Canadian national team coaching staff at the 2003, 2005 and 2007 Summer Universiade as well as the 2008 and 2009 World Championships.
Schoof re-joined the UBC coaching staff in May of 2017 after spending eight years coaching in both Ottawa and Edmonton. His time in Ottawa was spent as the head coach of the Greater Ottawa Kingfish swim team as well as the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees varsity program. In only two years, Schoof helped bring both teams national recognition and improved each program to top 10 finishes in the country. Schoof's athletes qualified for numerous national teams including the FINA World Aquatic Championships, World Junior Aquatic Championships, Pan Pacific Games and Pan American Games.
While in Edmonton, Schoof was the head coach of the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club, and in his last year also took on the role of head coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas swim teams. Schoof's impact was felt yet again in leading the Keyano Swim Club to three Senior National Team Championship titles while simultaneously placing swimmers on numerous national squads. The Golden Bears finished with 16 team records under Schoof's lead as well as top-five finishes for both the women and men at the U SPORTS Championships in 2017.
Schoof, a three-time U SPORTS coach of the year and last season's Canada West Coach of the Year, intends on further cementing his approach and influence in the coming years after making an immediate impact in his return to the lead role in 2019-20.
"Last season was filled with many changes and challenges which the team overcame with resounding success. Winning the national titles last season was a very rewarding experience for me and for all of our team members. We grew together as a unit and rallied around each other which culminated in an incredible season and overall team experience. I give credit to our student-athletes who never lost sight of their goals nor their support and commitment to each other. Our team values and culture are firmly established which I am sure will lead to excellent performances in the years to come."
