Derek Fulton

Biography

Derek Fulton joined Matt Drinkall’s Central Michigan coaching staff in December 2024 as the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. In 2025, Fulton helped guide Central Michigan to its first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall and a 5-3 mark in MAC play. The Chippewas achieved their highest win total since 2021. Fulton’s tight ends caught 26 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns and also contributed significantly to the CMU run game. Before arriving at Central Michigan, Fulton spent six seasons as offensive coordinator at NAIA Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, his alma mater, from 2019-24. During that span, the Vikings compiled a 72-5 record. Fulton coached four All-Americans—one quarterback, two wide receivers, and one offensive lineman)—six Heart of America Offensive Player of the Year Award recipients, and one NAIA Player of the Year (quarterback). He earned the Heart of America Athletic Conference Assistant Coach of the Year Award two times. In 2021, he directed an offense that produced nearly 3,000 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns as Grand View reached the NAIA national title game. In 2024, he engineered an offense that generated over 3,000 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns. In the 2024 NAIA Championship, Grand View accumulated 485 yards—353 rushing—and won 35-7. Fulton started at quarterback for Grand View from 2012-15, leading the Vikings to a 41-6 record. In 2013, he earned Offensive Player of the Game honors after guiding G

Career Path