Pumaren was hired an assistant coach for San Miguel Beermen led by then import-coach Norman Black. But when the People Power Revolution occurred and the Beermen was left the league for a while, he worked for Tanduay Rhum Makers under coach Arturo Valenzona and won back-to-back championship in 1987, but lost in the third conference and spoiled their chance to swipe the prestigious Grand slam. He returned as an assistant coach in 1987. When Norman Black returned, this time as a full-time head coach, Pumaren helped the Beermen to win four championships, including the 1989 grand slam.
Magnolia head coach (1986)
In 1986, the Magnolia/SMB returned to the league in the last conference of the season, Pumaren was appointed as head coach, but placed last in the standings.
La Salle (1986–1991)
Pumaren became the head coach for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP from 1986 to the early 90s, piloting the team to its first UAAP finals appearance in 1988,[1] and first championship in 1989 and repeating in 1990.[2] He also called the shots for the 1991 La Salle team in a controversial UAAP championship game win over FEU in 1991.[3]
Pumaren was hired as Swift Mighty Meaties/Hotdogs head coach. In 1995, Swift changed its name to Sunkist Orange Juicers and he led his team to two championships (defeating Alaska Milkmen in both finals series), but lost in the last conference.[7] He won Coach of the Year (COY) Award in the same season. But in 1996, the success was not doubled, even assisted by legendary coach Turo Valenzona.[8]
Co-coach at Mobiline (1997)
Pumaren was hired as co-coach for Mobiline Phone Pals with Tommy Manotoc.[9] But their partnership did not bear any championship appearance.
He replaced future PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa as Purefoods head coach. One of the trades under him was trading away Defense MinisterJerry Codiñera to the Mobiline Phone Pals to get the 6'9 center Andy Seigle. In 2000, Pumaren led Purefoods to two finals appearances, first in All-Filipino Cup[11] and the last was in the Governors' Cup.[12]
Tanduay and FedEx (2001–2003)
He coached the Tanduay Rhum Masters on its last season in the league.[13] When Bert Lina acquired the team, Pumaren and some players are carried over to the FedEx Express. In 2003, he was sacked and replaced by Bonnie Garcia.[14]
Consultant for UE (2004–2008)
When his brother Dindo Pumaren was hired as head coach of UE Red Warriors, Pumaren was hired as team consultant.[15] He helped the team to reach Final Four in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008. He also helped the team to got a 14-0 elimination sweep that gave them to chance to skip the Final Four and advance to the finals in 2007, but got swept by the returning De La Salle Green Archers (who were suspended the previous year) in the finals led by their brother Franz Pumaren.
Pumaren was hired by UE Red Warriors as head coach, and led his team to a 4th seed playoff game against the eventual champions NU Bulldogs, but lost. UE struggled and did not qualify for the next seasons that led him to resign.[21]
In 2020, he returned as head coach for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP, replacing Gian Nazario.[23] In December 2022, La Salle opted not to renew Pumaren's contract.[24]
He has two younger brothers who were both PBA players whom he had coached: Franz Pumaren (former UE Pages), who played for the San Miguel Beermen and Mobiline Phone Pals, he later inherited Derrick's head coaching duties in the UAAP and the PBL. Franz would go on to win the most college basketball titles in the modern era (post-EDSA). The youngest brother is Dindo Pumaren, who played for and won multiple championships with the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs and Pepsi, former head coach of the UE Red Warriors and UE Red Warriors in the UAAP. Dindo is considered one of the game's greatest point guards in the same breath as peers such as Olsen Racela and Ronnie Magsanoc.
Formerly the Pop Cola Sizzlers, Sarsi Sizzlers, Diet Sarsi Sizzlers, Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdogs, Swift Mighty Meaties, Sunkist Orange Juicers, Sunkist Orange Bottlers, Pop Cola Bottlers, Pop Cola 800s and Swift Panthers
