DerCola brings a college-game mentality and the associated technical language of the game.

He played quarterback at SUNY Brockport, appearing in 13 games. In nine games as a senior he threw for 537 yards and four touchdown passes. He then coached on that level with Utica College, hired in 2008 as a graduate assistant to work with the wide receivers and then working his way up to special teams coordinator. He coached there until 2013.

In his four years as head coach at Notre Dame, he posted a record of 28-10 and led the Jugglers to back-to-back Section III Class C titles in 2014 and 2015.