Age:
44

Hometown:
Mill Valley, CA.

High School:
Redwood, All-conference, All-state

College:
College of Marin (All-conference); Texas A&M University (two-time varsity letterman, All-conference, Southwest Conference tournament most valuable player, C.E. “Pat” Olsen MVP); Master’s degree from San Francisco State University

Professional baseball:
Texas Rangers (Oklahoma City AAA); Guadalajara, Mexico; Salt Lake City Trappers (A); Montreal Expos (Burlington, Iowa A) College

Coaching Career: 1987 – 1991, Texas A&M University student assistant; 1991, College of San Mateo pitching coach; 1992-1993, San Francisco State University pitching coach; 1994-1996, College of Marin pitching coach; 1997-1999, College of Marin head coach; 2000-2001 San Jacinto College Assistant coach; 2001-present, San Jacinto College head coach

Record:
311-115

Personal:
Arrington and his wife, Marya, are parents to son Alden (8) and daughter Anya Lily (5).

 

Leading the baseball program at San Jacinto College means more than performing a job for Tom Arrington. The way he sees it, he has an obligation to both his college and his players to help them continue their development.

So far, so good for Arrington, who took over the San Jacinto College job as head coach prior to the 2002 season. Since then, San Jac has made five trips in six years to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series.

In 2007, Arrington guided San Jac to a 46-16 record, complete with another conference crown, Region XIV tournament title and a third-place finish at the World Series. Along the way, Arrington surpassed the 300-win mark as head coach at San Jacinto College, where he’s now 311-115 over six seasons.

Wayne Graham, now the head coach at Rice University, led San Jac to five national titles from 1985 to 1990 and won 586 games over 11 seasons. Graham’s successor, Chris Rupp, took San Jac to four-straight World Series from 1997-2000. While the national title has proven to be elusive to San Jac under Arrington’s tuteledge, Arrington and his staff have helped dozens of San Jacinto players to advance to collegiate and professional levels. For him, it’s all part of his obligation as the team’s leader.

"It’s extremely gratifying to have quality athletes come in here and help us be what we believe is the premier junior college program in the country,” Arrington said. “First and foremost, they are getting a quality education and at the same time they are continuing to develop and showcase their skills to a point where they either move on to the Division I level on scholarship or sign professional contracts for large signing bonuses. I think we accomplish those three goals, including the education, as well as anyone in the nation."

Arrington is confident the day will come when the national championship trophy again comes home. It will take skill, desire and some luck, but Arrington is committed to ensuring current and future San Jacinto College players are placed in a great position to be successful.

"We have that desire to sustain our performance on the field, and with that hopefully comes a dominance of the region,” Arrington said. “With five trips to the national tournament in six years, and six trips over eight years, I think we’re doing that. That highly coveted first national championship for this group of coaches and the players is still in our sights. When it’s our year, it will be our year. I also believe that when we win one, we may win several after that. Our time is coming."

With Arrington’s focus on the prize being so intense, there’s no reason to doubt his confidence. As a player, Arrington was intent on becoming the best he could be. His college career included two seasons at Texas A&M University, and he later pitched at the AAA level for both the Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers.

Arrington began his coaching career in 1991 at the College of Mateo. Later came stops at San Francisco State University and College of Marin. In 2000, Arrington arrived in Houston as San Jac’s assistant coach, where he focused on the pitchers. Two seasons later, he was named head coach.Arrington began his coaching career in 1991 at the College of Mateo. Later came stops at San Francisco State University and College of Marin. In 2000, Arrington arrived in Houston as San Jac’s assistant coach, where he focused on the pitchers. Two seasons later, he was named head coach.

"We look at our program as one of the best in the country,” Arrington said. “We also have an obligation to make sure these young men get the best education possible. That’s simply a personal belief of mine. We have to prepare these guys for lifelong success, not just baseball success. They have to be able to deal with success or failure on and off the field. We live in a demanding society, so we make sure our players are prepared."

So far, Arrington has lived up to his obligation as San Jac’s head coach.

 

Age:
48

Hometown:
Houston, Texas

High School:
Madison (Houston, Texas)

College:
Ranger Junior College (1977-78); Lubbock Christian (four-year letterman), Bachelor of Science, 1978; Master’s degree from University of Houston

High School Coaching:
Livingston, Clements

College Coaching:
2002–2005, assistant coach, New Mexico Junior College (won 2005 JUCO na tional championship); 2006–present, assistant coach, San Jacinto College

Personal:
Durham and his wife, Julie, ha ve seven children: Chris (18), Tyler (17), Maggie (16), Kyle (14), Brad (13), Andrew (10), and AnnaMae (9)

 

Assistant coach Jimmy Durham, now in his third season with San Jacinto College, understands plenty about winning. In 2005, Durham was an assistant coach at New Mexico Junior College, where the Thunderbirds won the JUCO world series that season. He came to San Jacinto College with the same goal in mind and knows that San Jac is on target.

“I think the standard for excellence and for winning at a high level has been set, and the players who come to San Jacinto College understand that and in turn do what’s necessary to be successful,” noted Durham. “You do have to have some luck to win the national title, but you also have to have the players and the dedication to be great. We have both of those here.”

A former high school standout in the Houston area at Madison High School, Durham went to coach at the high school level at Livingston and Clements. He knows the area well and has used his connections to help San Jac recruit the best talent available. On the field, San Jac has used that talent to win big.

“We push our players to be better, but they expect that from us,” Durham said. “That’s why they come here. The players are looking for future success in the Division I ranks and perhaps the professional level. San Jacinto College is a great place to continue that growth as a player.”

 

Age:
32

Hometown:
Austin, Texas

High School:
Lanier

College:
San Jacinto College; Bachelor of Art from the
University of Houston

Coaching:
1996-present, assistant coach,
San Jacinto College

Family:
Wife, Alisha, and daughters Kylee Michelle (7), and Madeline Mae (1).

 

Entering his 12th season at San Jacinto College, assistant coach D.J. Wilson has been part of a tremendous amount of success with San Jac. Over the previous 11 seasons, Wilson has been part of nine national tournament teams, four who have played for the national championship. Perhaps in 2008 the title will come home again.

“I wish I could say there is a secret to it, but the bottom line is we have a tremendous amount of support from the administration, and the Houston-area is a hotbed of talent,” Wilson said. “With the success we have had, we have an advantage of being able to bring in a lot of the area’s top players. From there, it’s our job as coaches to mold a champion. I think our record shows we have done that.”

So what will it take for San Jac to make a 10th trip to nationals in 2008? Wilson says the formula will remain the same. “It’s our focus as coaches to bring these players in and help them polish their skills en route to their personal goals as students and players,” he said. “Along the way, hopefully as a team we can win it all. It’s going to happen for us.”

 

Age:
28

Hometown:
North Bay, New York

High School:
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill

College:
San Jacinto College (1998-2000); University of Houston, (2001-2006) Bachelor of Science

Coaching:
2001-present, assistant coach, San Jacinto College; Adrean Post 625, Oneida County American Legion, Utica, New York; League City Hornets and the Stan Musial Saints, Houston

 

A former catcher at San Jacinto College (2000), Kory Koehler is now entering his eighth season as an assistant coach with the team. San Jac played in the JUCO world series while Koehler was a player. During his time as a coach, the team has made six trips. Obviously, Koehler appreciates the success he’s been a part of as a coach. Winning at a consistent level certainly involves having talented players and crafted coaches, but Koehler has seen San Jac go the extra step.

“The game slows down a lot when you’re coaching,” Koehler said. “You understand the intricacies a lot more as a coach. It’s basically a chess match between the two teams. I think we do a good job of controlling our emotions and letting the game come to us as opposed to trying to force the action.

“I have played and coached along with some amazing coaches. Along the way I have tried to be like a sponge, soaking up everything I possibly can. Early on in my coaching career, I have been fortunate to be at San Jacinto College.”