Derek Sage

Biography

Derek Sage returns to Pullman as part of Head Coach Kirby Moore’s first staff in the role of wide receivers/special teams coach. It marks the second time coaching at WSU for Sage, who was part of Mike Leach’s staff as the outside receivers coach during the 2017 season. Sage arrives in Pullman following two years as the tight ends coach at Toledo, his second stint at Toledo after previously serving as Toledo’s wide receivers coach from 2014-16. During the 2025 season, Sage mentored senior Jacob Petersen, who recorded 25 receptions (third on team) for 335 yards and three touchdowns. In 2024, he led a tight end room that featured senior Anthony Torres, who caught 31 passes for 404 yards. Torres, who participated in the 2025 Hula Bowl was tied for third in MAC with nine TD receptions. Sage arrived at Toledo following two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Nevada in 2022-23. At Nevada, Sage coached five players who earned All-Mountain West league honors: wide receiver Dalevon Campbell and offensive lineman Isaiah World in 2023, and wide receiver BJ Casteel, offensive lineman Grant Starck, and running back Toa Taua in 2022. Prior to joining the staff at Nevada, Sage spent four seasons (2018-21) as the tight ends coach at UCLA. During the 2021 season at UCLA as special teams coordinator, Sage helped the Bruins lead the nation in punt returns yardage (20.00), as well as finish seventh in kickoff return yardage (27.38). While at UCLA, Sage helped develop three of the nation’s top