Derrick Baker

Biography

Derrick Baker enters his first season as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at USC. In 2024, Baker was a strength and conditioning coach for Exos, as well as a strength coach in the 58th Special Operations Wing for the United States Air Force. There, he led and designed strength and conditioning programs for pilots, load masters, maintainers and combat officers. He also developed personalized strength and conditioning programs for the specific needs of different Air Force specialties. In 2022, he was New Mexico's director of athletic performance. Baker supervised and led all strength, speed, agility and conditioning programs for the football program. He developed training programs tailored to athletes' needs that would ensure peak performance during off-season, pre-season and in-season phases. In collaboration with sports medicine professionals, he also implemented injury prevention strategies and rehabilitation protocols for injured athletes. Baker was the assistant strength and conditioning coach at San Diego State from 2015 to 2021. There, he contributed to the development of elite athletes through strategic training programs. Baker earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science with an emphasis in Fitness Specialist from SDSU in 2014. While at SDSU, the Aztec football program won three conference championships (2012, 2015 and 2016) and nine straight bowl games. His certifications include AHA CPR and AED, USAW Level 1 Sport Performance Coach,