Miles Of Influence

SEATTLE- It was a calm September afternoon, as the O'Dea cross country team was already deep into their warm-up laps around Volunteer Park. It was Jackson Derby’s first time leading a cross country practice as newly appointed head coach.

Amid the rhythmic pounding of feet and misty breath, Derby stood out—not for his speed, but for his presence.

Derby, previously an assistant coach with the team, jogged alongside a struggling freshman, offering quiet encouragement with each stride.

“You don’t have to be the fastest,” he said, “just the most consistent.”

That moment, small and easily missed, captured the essence of Derby’s coaching philosophy: dedicated, resilient and purposeful.  

In the world of high school athletics, leadership transitions often mark turning points for a program. At O'Dea High School, the 2025 cross country season ushered in a new era with Jackson Derby stepping into the role of head coach—a promotion that reflects both his dedication and the trust he’s earned within the school community. 

Derby joined O'Dea’s coaching staff in 2023 as an assistant, bringing with him a quiet intensity and a background rooted in Jesuit education. A Bellarmine Prep and Gonzaga University graduate, Derby quickly became known for his ability to connect with athletes—not just as runners, but as young men navigating life’s challenges.

During his two years as assistant coach, Derby focused on the fundamentals: consistency, accountability, and character. He was often seen running alongside athletes during practice, offering encouragement and tactical advice. His presence was steady, his impact subtle but profound. 

For the 2025 season, Derby was named head coach of the cross country program, taking over for longtime coach, David Bazzi—a move that felt both natural and welcome. 

His promotion was met with enthusiasm from athletes and faculty alike, many of whom had already seen his leadership in action in the classroom. Showing the amount of respect he had garnered in his short time with the Irish, Coach Bazzi felt ready to hand over the reins to Derby while still wishing to stay on as an assistant coach. The two make a great team.

As head coach, Derby wasted no time implementing a culture of growth. He emphasized goal-setting, mental toughness, and team unity.

Practices became more structured, race strategies more refined, and the team’s identity began to crystallize around Derby’s vision. 

"There's something that can be tapped into which I believe in at O'Dea that there are kids here that want to support each and want to work hard and achieve big things. While that might not happen every single year, if there's a habit of that established and that’s just the standard I think that we can be really good." 

Derby’s coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by his Jesuit roots. He views running not just as a sport, but as a metaphor for life: showing up, pushing through discomfort, and finding strength in community.

His dual role as an educational support specialist at O'Dea further reinforces his commitment to holistic development.

"There’s plenty of space to have fun, I hope it’s always fun, I hope practice is always the best part of someone’s day”. 

But he knows it's more than that for him. He is trying to shape the young men at O'Dea into their best selves.

“It's more responsibility for sure, its trying to set a direction for the program where everybody is encouraged to participate and work to the best of their ability."  

With the 2025 season underway, Derby’s leadership is already bearing fruit. The team has shown marked improvement in both performance and cohesion. At their most recent meet on September 25th, 5 out of the first 7 athletes to cross the finish line were O'Dea runners. 

More importantly, athletes are embracing the values Derby fosters, resilience, dedication, and purpose. As O'Dea’s cross country program continues to evolve, Jackson Derby stands at the helm—not just as a coach, but as a mentor, role model, and architect of a legacy being built one mile at a time.