Linda became head coach of the Tampa Bay Firestix of the Women's Professional Softball League in 1999, when she was WPSL Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a record 37 victories. The Firestix were regular season and post-season champions. In the off season, Derk is a motivational speaker for various organizations, clinics and schools.

Previously, Derk served as head coach at Indiana State for three seasons. Linda received her B.A. in physical education with an emphasis in coaching in 1987 from Slippery Rock University and a master's degree in sports administration from Temple in 1993.

Derk was an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy, Drexel and Temple. In 1991, she helped lead Drexel to the school's best record of 35-15 and an East Coast Conference title.

Coaching experience began as an assistant at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., in 1988. She became head softball coach and assistant basketball coach at Division II East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University.

Linda played four seasons on the varsity softball team for Slippery Rock, and was also a four-year member of the varsity basketball team. She was a Level II Olympic tryout participant in 1994 and competed at the Amateur Softball Assn. Major Fastpitch level for 11 years.