Duquesne University Athletics

Derik Abbott arrived on the Bluff for the 2024 season after spending the previous year as an offensive graduate assistant at Pitt. A 2016 graduate of nearby Robert Morris University, Abbott brings seven years of coaching experience across multiple NCAA levels, as well as a 2022 coaching fellowship with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

In 2024, the Dukes shared the regular-season title in the Northeast Conference. Abbott helped guide Duquesne’s offense to the top scoring unit in the Northeast Conference (NEC) while averaging over 230 passing yards per game. He also played a key role in coaching senior quarterback Darius Perrantes to a First-Team All-NEC selection. Perrantes tied the Duquesne single-season record with 29 touchdown passes and led the NEC in passing efficiency and yards per completion.

Abbott played one graduate season at Lindenwood University before beginning his coaching career in 2018 as an offensive quality control coach and assistant quarterbacks coach. The Orlando native then spent four seasons (2019–22) as quarterbacks coach and passing game assistant at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he helped develop the 2022 conference rookie of the year at wide receiver. In 2022, he participated in the Tennessee Titans' training camp as a coaching fellow, assisting with the quarterbacks.

A 2016 graduate of Robert Morris University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Abbott was a four-year quarterback for the Colonials. In 2014, he orchestrated the biggest comeback in program history, rallying RMU from an 18-point deficit to defeat Central Connecticut State, 27-24. His 57.1% completion percentage that season marked the second-highest in school history.

Abbott was a record-breaking quarterback at Freedom High School in Orlando, earning All-Central Florida accolades. He finished his career as one of only 12 players in Central Florida history to eclipse 5,000 career passing yards.