Former M wideout/wearer of the #1 Derrick Alexander now coaching college football

Submitted by James Burrill Angell on

Just noticed because we're connected on LinkedIn but former early 90's Michigan wideout and more significant wearer of the #1 jersey Derrick Alexander appears to have left his career in information technology in the Kansas City area (where he had an NFL career with the Chiefs) and has accepted a position as the receivers coach at Wilmington College in Ohio. 

Picture isn't up its on their website but the name is:

https://wilmington.prestosports.com/information/directory/index

also on his Linkedin page which I won't post.

 

CLord

August 18th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^

I played pick up basketball with Derrick and Desmond when they were underclassmen at the CCRB and Derrick was the most athletic and violent dunker I had ever seen in my life. I didn't know who the two of them were at the time, but I thought they were football players and that Derrick was going to be a superstar, and Desmond was a mere afterthought. Good to see he is doing well.

CLord

August 18th, 2015 at 4:57 PM ^

His dunks were so violent he'd literally be horizontal 10 feet in the air by the time he was done, hanging on the rim for dear life.  Desmond kept feeding him alley oops too.  Desmond just looked like a little boy but the way he talked so much smack and had Michigan football gear on I figured he was a DB or something.  It was clear he and Derrick were good friends.

WolverineHistorian

August 18th, 2015 at 3:00 PM ^

Indeed.  And I don't understand it.  I rarely hear his name mentioned with the other greats.  Even his tribute video only has four comments after 4 years.

He was very deserving of that #1 jersey.  All American.  Lethal return man.  Stud receiver.  Tons of speed.  He did everything that Desmond did, including the diving catches - although Desmond's looked like poetry in motion.  He just had more size. 

He was a game changer.  His returns sparked comeback wins over OSU in 1990 and Penn State in 1993, both of those games being on the road.  He was a major weapon but looking back, he never seems to have the nostalgic fanfare that a AC, Howard, Woodson or a Wheatley has.  I just don't get it.

 

Tyrone Biggums

August 18th, 2015 at 4:58 PM ^

I think it's because he got hurt and Desmond proceeded to blowup and won the Heisman. Derrick was All Big Ten twice and also an All American honoree in 1992. Definitely one of the greats.

His NFL carreer was above average also,1st rd pick, 8 years, 471 receptions, 6,971 yards and 40tds. Not sure if he still does but he held the Chiefs record for receiving yards for a single season, his QB was none other than Elvis Grbac that year as well. I've been playing Fantasy football forvever and I always tried to grab him if he was available.

ironman4579

August 19th, 2015 at 9:13 AM ^

It's kind of funny that with all the great receivers that have come through Michigan, Alexander and Amani Toomer might be the only two to have good NFL careers in the modern era.  I've heard a few old draftniks and fantasy footballers say "never take a receiver from Michigan or USC or a running back from Penn State in the first round."  For some reason our WR's (first round guys anyway) never seem to completely pan out in the NFL.

ElBictors

August 18th, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^

I remember seeing Desmond on campus in suit & tie, carrying a briefcase to class. Alexander was tall and skinny and had some serious leaping ability.

Truth to the injury opening door for Desmond.

WestQuad

August 18th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

Those were the days that we just assumed that whoever we had was going to be awesome (or at least I did.)  Always thought Alexander was as good as Howard in college and he was definitely a better pro.  (Loved Howard by the way.)

Avon Barksdale

August 18th, 2015 at 6:15 PM ^

We were so spoiled. Alexander, Howard, Streets/Knight, Terrell, Edwards/Avant/Breaston, Manningham........ Gallon was good, but our wideouts have not been close to replicating that string of success.