Quick Facts
Biography
Darren Arbet (born November 26, 1962) is a former Arena Football League head coach for the San Jose SaberCats. He has a career record of 169-73, including four titles, ArenaBowl XVI, ArenaBowl XVIII, ArenaBowl XXI, and ArenaBowl XXVIII. He is currently the head coach for Cabrillo College, a junior college in Aptos, California.
Early life
Arbet attended Edison High School in Stockton, California, where he was a standout in football and track & field.
College career
Arbet played four seasons for the Sacramento State Hornets football team from 1981 to 1985 as a defensive end.
Professional career
Los Angeles Cobras
Arbet joined the Los Angeles Cobras in 1988.
Maryland Commandos
Arbet played for the Maryland Commandos in 1989.
Coaching career
Sacramento State
Arbet coached tight ends at his alma mater in 1990.
Albany Firebirds
Arbet received a job coaching fullbacks and linebackers for the Albany Firebirds in 1992. When defensive coordinator Doug Kay, received the offer to coach the Charlotte Rage in 1995, Arbet was promoted to defensive coordinator by the Firebirds.
San Jose SaberCats
On January 13, 1999, the San Jose SaberCats named Arbet their second head coach in franchise history. He won four ArenaBowls with the SaberCats. He also served as general manager, and later bought a stake in the team. His tenure ended when the SaberCats pulled out of the AFL shortly after winning their fourth ArenaBowl.
Humboldt State University
Arbet became the Assistant Head Coach, Linebackers Coach, and Special Teams Coordinator for the Humboldt State Lumberjacks in 2016.
Cabrillo College
In January 2017, Arbet was named the head coach for Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA.
| Conference | Overall | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Won | Lost | Win % | Won | Lost | Win % | Bowl Game |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 | 0.750 | 8 | 3 | 0.875 | Living Breath Bowl |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 | 0.667 | 7 | 3 | 0.700 | N/A |
| 2017 | 1 | 5 | 0.167 | 2 | 8 | 0.200 | N/A |
AFL head coaching record
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| SJ | 1999 | 6 | 8 | .429 | 3rd in AC West | – | – | – | – |
| SJ | 2000 | 12 | 2 | .857 | 1st in AC Western | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Nashville Kats in Semifinals |
| SJ | 2001 | 10 | 4 | .714 | 1st in AC Western | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Nashville Kats in Semifinals |
| SJ | 2002 | 13 | 1 | .929 | 1st in AC Western | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated Arizona Rattlers to win ArenaBowl XVI |
| SJ | 2003 | 12 | 4 | .750 | 1st in AC Western | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Arizona Rattlers in Semifinals |
| SJ | 2004 | 11 | 5 | .688 | 2nd in AC Western | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated Arizona Rattlers to win ArenaBowl XVIII |
| SJ | 2005 | 9 | 7 | .563 | 2nd in AC Western | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Colorado Crush in First Round |
| SJ | 2006 | 10 | 6 | .625 | 1st in AC Western | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Chicago Rush in Semifinals |
| SJ | 2007 | 13 | 3 | .813 | 1st in AC Western | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated Columbus Destroyers to win ArenaBowl XXI |
| SJ | 2008 | 11 | 5 | .688 | 1st in AC Western | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost to Philadelphia Soul in ArenaBowl XXII |
| SJ | 2011 | 7 | 11 | .389 | 4th in NC West | – | – | – | – |
| SJ | 2012 | 12 | 6 | .667 | 2nd in NC West | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Arizona Rattlers in First Round |
| SJ | 2013 | 13 | 5 | .722 | 3rd in NC West | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Arizona Rattlers in First Round |
| SJ | 2014 | 13 | 5 | .722 | 1st in NC Pacific | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Arizona Rattlers in Semifinals |
| SJ | 2015 | 17 | 1 | .944 | 1st in NC Pacific | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated Jacksonville Sharks to win ArenaBowl XXVIII |
| Total | 169 | 73 | .698 | 19 | 9 | .679 | |||
Personal life
In 2002, Arbet became the first African-American head coach to win a pro-football championship when he coached the SaberCats to a victory at ArenaBowl XVI. His nephew is former AFL player Kevin Arbet.