Former Derby County defender Jake Buxton will oversee the running of the club’s Under-18 side in the Academy.


The 37-year-old spent the early stages of the 2022/23 campaign supporting the Rams’ first team coaching staff on a temporary basis, having served as Under-21s boss Pat Lyons’ assistant last term.

Having returned to the Academy set-up last month, in a move that was planned during the summer, Buxton will now manage Derby’s Under-18s in Premier League - North and be assisted by Professional Development Phase Coach Keith Briggs.

Briggs recently joined the Academy following a four-year spell on the books of Barnsley. He enjoyed a playing career in the EFL, which began at Stockport County in 1999, before moving into coaching upon hanging up his boots.

Long-serving coach Adam Robinson, who led the Under-18s during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns, has stepped up to fill Buxton’s previous role with the Under-21s alongside Lyons.

As a player, Buxton enjoyed seven years with Derby after arriving from Burton Albion in the summer of 2009.

He made 159 appearances for the Rams and scored on 13 occasions, including a memorable late winner at home to local rivals Nottingham Forest in March 2012.

The popular central defender was also a key part of the Derby side that reached the 2014 Play-Off Final.

Buxton, who began his career at Mansfield Town, recorded just over 500 professional appearances in his career, scoring on 20 occasions.