May. 23– Concordia University head football coach Mark Mauer has announced that Derek Branch will join the coaching staff as an assistant coach working with the offensive line.

Branch takes his new post with the Golden Bears after serving as a key assistant on the coaching staff at Hamline University for the previous two seasons (2005-06). Branch began his stint with the Pipers serving as an assistant coaching the defensive line for his first season. He was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2006 season where he was able to implement an offensive package as well as manage and direct the offensive position coaches. While at Hamline, Branch also was in charge of recruiting the Twin Cities area as well as Houston, Texas.

An all-America honorable mention, all-WIAC second team offensive lineman at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1999 and 2000, Branch turned his playing career into a student-assistant coaching position. His primary coaching duties in his first opportunity as an assistant, Branch worked with the running backs and offensive linemen.

After earning his bachelor of science degree in marketing and business education in May of 20004 from UW-Stout, Branch took a graduate assistant position as The University of South Dakota where he worked with the tight ends and controlled the scout special teams unit. He earned his masters of arts from USD in August of 2006 in health, physical education and recreation. Branch coached one season (2004) at USD before accepting his position at Hamline.

Branch resides in Eagan, Minn. with his wife, Shannon, an elementary school teacher at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School. They are expecting their first child in October of 2007.