Derek "Dex" Schroeder begins his second year at the helm of the Samford Volleyball program.

In his first year, Schroeder led the Bulldogs to their winningest season in school history (28-5), a Southern Conference Northern Division title, a 12-game winning streak and an undefeated record at home.

Before coming to Samford, Schroeder served as assistant coach at St. Louis University for a year. Before his stint at St. Louis, he spent four seasons as an assistant with the women's team at Furman University (2003-06). Schroeder worked with the middle blockers and outside hitters, and served as the Paladins' recruiting coordinator. Three of his recruits earned first-team All-Conference honors, and one was named Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2006. He also founded Furman's volleyball booster club, Friends of Furman Volleyball.

Additionally, Schroeder founded the Potential School of Volleyball in Greenville, S.C., a club volleyball program for teens ages 14-17.

The Wheatley, Ontario, native began his volleyball career at the University of Windsor in 1993. He was recruited as a setter but made the transition to middle blocker, where he had a successful four-year career. He then played for the University of British Colombia from 1998 to 1999, leading his team to a No. 6 national ranking. The middle blocker earned top 10 national rankings in blocks per game, digs per game and hitting percentage.

When Schroeder moved into the collegiate coaching ranks, he took on the task of ­bringing back the St. Clair College men's ­volley­ball program from a 25-year hiatus. He led a squad with 11 freshman walk-ons to a 3-12 record in his first season. The next season, the team finished 7-8. In 2001, his squad ­featured the conference leader in points per game and a first-team All-Conference ­selection.

Schroeder moved to the University of Mississippi in 2002 and helped first-year Head Coach Joe Getzin rebuild the Rebel women's volleyball program as a volunteer coach. The tandem put excitement back into the program as the squad improved its record and attendance spiked.

Schroeder graduated from the University of Windsor in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in human kinetics with an emphasis in sports management. He and his wife, Pam, reside in Irondale, Ala.