Staff Directory

Derick Hinch

Title:
Associate Head Coach
Email:

"Derick Hinch was hired as the Associate Head Coach for Grand Canyon University Track & Field in July of 2025.

Hinch oversees the jumps, pole vault, and combined events. Widely recognized for his expertise in athlete development, technical event coaching, and strength and conditioning, Hinch has coached NCAA Championship qualifiers, All-Americans, conference champions, school record holders, and Olympic Trials qualifiers across every stop of his collegiate coaching career.

In his first season at Grand Canyon University, Hinch guided five NCAA West First Round qualifiers and one NCAA Championship qualifier while coaching three Mountain West Conference champions in the women's pole vault (Eva Lowder & Tatum Moku) and women's triple jump (Taryn Burkett). His athletes established three school records, produced 24 all-time top-10 performances, and set four freshman records while helping elevate the Lopes' jumps and combined events programs to new heights.

Prior to GCU, Hinch spent three seasons as Associate Head Coach at Washington State University. During his tenure, Cougar athletes produced 10 NCAA First Round qualifiers Four NCAA Finals qualifiers, four school records, and 20 all-time top-10 performances. His athletes included an NCAA qualifier in the women's pole vault who broke the freshmen record indoors & outdoors at 4.38m/4.26m (Eva Lowder, 2024). School record and NCAA qualifier of 4.46m and 4.50m (Tatum Moku, 2025). Hinch also coached a First Team All-American decathlete who scored 7,816 points (Lee Walburn) and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials. he also coached Mason Mahacek to a school record and All-American award in the men's heptathlon.

Before Washington State, Hinch served as an assistant coach at Cornell University, where he earned 2022 USTFCCCA Northeast Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year honors. During his three seasons in Ithaca, Cornell athletes produced 52 all-time top-10 performances, six school records, six NCAA Division I All-Americans, and nine Ivy League champions. He also coached the USTFCCCA Northeast Region Field Athlete of the Year during both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Hinch began his collegiate coaching career at Western Colorado University and Minnesota State University-Mankato, where he helped coach multiple NCAA Division II All-Americans, a national champion in the women's high jump, and conference championship teams.

Across his collegiate coaching career, Hinch has coached more than 30 NCAA First Round qualifiers, 14 NCAA All-Americans between the Division I and Division II levels, numerous conference champions, and athletes who have established school records at multiple institutions. His athletes have qualified for NCAA Championships, U.S. Olympic Trials, and have consistently ranked among the nation's best in the jumps, pole vault, and combined events.

A former pole vaulter, Hinch was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and team captain at Arizona State University, where he remains one of the top performers in program history with a personal best of 5.50m (18'0.5").

Hinch holds advanced certifications from USTFCCCA in Combined Events, Jumping Events, Strength & Conditioning, and Technical Event Coaching, along with specialized education through ALTIS in the Sprints and hurdles, horizontal jumps and high jump.

Hinch lives in Phoenix AZ with his wife Erin and three Daughters Quinn, Conley and Callaghan. “