Arceneaux hiring gets favorable reactions

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Darnell Arceneaux's hiring Monday as head football coach at national powerhouse Saint Louis School came as a shock to many. But a day later, the move appeared to gain added acceptance.

ARCENEAUX

Arceneaux, 25, quarterbacked Saint Louis to three O'ahu Prep Bowl championships from 1993-95.

"All the parents I talked to are in full agreement with (the hiring of) Darnell," said Barry Batts, who applied for the job himself. "He's young, but everybody has to start someplace, and he knows the system. As far as I know, the parents and players are fully behind him. It's getting a positive reaction."

Arceneaux was a surprise selection, and not just because he did not apply for the job (he was approached by athletic director Cal Lee about the possibility two weeks ago).

Arceneaux's age and lack of high school coaching experience were the main reasons why people questioned the hiring. But Batts said those are not great concerns for him and other parents, many of whom are familiar with Arceneaux through the "combine" he has run for college prospects the past two years.

"He's been involved with high school athletics, and he has shown maturity and leadership," Batts said. "I would say 90 percent of the parents know him already, or know who he is. And I think the players already respect him, so that shouldn't be a problem. He may not have coaching experience, but he's still been around football as a player (currently as a Hawaiian Islanders quarterback) and doing camps and clinics."

As the two-month search process dragged on after Delbert Tengan resigned after one season on April 22, parents and players had become restless, Batts said. He added some parents were so distraught, they considered pulling their sons out of Saint Louis.

"But I don't think that'll happen now," Batts said. "With Darnell, plus (former Crusaders wrestling coach) Todd Los Ba–os as the new athletic director, both those guys are very good guys and they'll get support."

Longtime Saint Louis football assistant Vince Passas, who has been the offensive coordinator the past few seasons, said last night he will remain on the staff.

"I don't know what title Darnell will give me, but I'll be here," Passas said.

Arceneaux, who is helping run a camp in Samoa this week, said Monday he plans to approach other members of the staff about returning. Passas said he does not know how many other assistants will return, but he has confidence in Arceneaux.

"I suggested to him that he go for the job," Passas said. "It's not so much about age as it is how you relate to the players. You need to organize a plan and then be able to sell it to the kids. I think if he surrounds himself with good people, he can do a good job."

Lee also said Arceneaux has what it takes to succeed.

"He's a quality person with a lot to offer," Lee said last night. "I'm sure he can come up with a good staff. We've seen what he can do, he's proven himself on the field. Now he just has to do it as a coach."

Arceneaux said he plans to retain the same system the Crusaders have employed the past 20 seasons, which resulted in 16 Prep Bowl or state championships.

Kale Ane, a former NFL player who became Punahou's head coach four years ago, said the transition will be tough for Arceneaux but people should not automatically discount his ability.

"There'll be pressure to keep up the legacy of Saint Louis, but he's already been through that as a quarterback," Ane said. "It's a tough league and there's a lot more to it than even being an assistant. But I'm happy for Darnell; it's an exciting opportunity for him."

For Batts, and other Crusaders parents and players, it's a big relief.

"It's a weight off everybody's chest," Batts said.

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