Tom Arrington
Phone: (281) 459-7613
tom.arrington@sjcd.edu

Tom Arrington
Head Coach
Texas A&M University (1985)
Overall Record: 400-140, tenth season

 

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 and extend their playing career.

So far, so good for Arrington, who took over the San Jacinto College program as head coach prior to the 2001 season. Since then, San Jac has made six trips to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series, including last season’s exciting run to Grand Junction.

2009 was, by all measures, a successful season, despite not having a home field to play on due to construction at JR Harrison Field. Nine baseball student-athletes were named to the all-conference team, and Arrington was tabbed as the conference coach of the year. Deric Hawkins and Tommy Collier earned NJCAA All-American honors in leading San Jac to a 45-11 record, the conference title, and a tie for fourth at the World Series.

In 2008, Arrington led San Jac to a 44-14 record, and saw two of his players from that team drafted in the majors. San Jac advanced to the semifinals of the Region XIV tournament, just shy of a return trip to the JUCO 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 400-140 (.741) over seven 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 consecutive World Series (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), with appearances in the national championship game in 1998 and 1999. While the national title has proven to be elusive to San Jac under Arrington’s tutelage, Arrington and his staff have helped dozens of San Jacinto players find homes at the 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 trophy again comes home to Houston. It will take skill, desire and some luck, but Arrington is committed to ensuring that 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 six trips (to the national tournament) in 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 intense focus on the prize, 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 Single A level for the Montreal Expos and Triple A level for the 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.

“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.”

The Mill Valley, California, native began his playing career at College of Marin where he was an all-conference selection. He then played two years at Texas A&M University where he earned two letters, was all-conference, and the Southwest Conference tournament most Valuable Player. He also earned the C.E. “Pat” Olsen MVP award. Arrington holds a master’s degree from San Francisco State University.

Arrington played professionally for the Triple A team of the Texas Rangers; in Guadalajara, Mexico; for the Salt Lake Trappers; and the Single A farm team of the Montreal Expos.

The 44-year-old Arrington and his wife, Marya, have a son Alden (10) and a daughter Anya Lily (7).

Jimmy Durham
jimmy.durham@sjcd.edu

Jimmy Durham
Assistant Coach
Lubbock Christian (1978)
Fifth season

 

Assistant coach Jimmy Durham, now in his fifth season with San Jacinto College, understands plenty about winning. In 2005, Durham was an assistant coach at New Mexico Junior College, when 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 played collegiately at Ranger Junior College and Lubbock Christian. He then went on 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.”

Durham holds a Bachelor of Science from Lubbock Christian and a master’s degree from the University of Houston. He has five children: Tyler (19), Maggie (18), Kyle (16), Andrew (12), and AnnaMae (9).

D.J. Wilson
dj.wilson@sjcd.edu

D.J. Wilson
Assistant Coach
University of Houston (2004)
14th season

 

Entering his 14th season at San Jacinto College, assistant coach D.J. Wilson has seen a tremendous amount of success with the program. Over the previous 14 seasons, Wilson has been part of ten national tournament teams, four that have played for the national championship."I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a winning program and having been to the JUCO World Series 10 times," said Wilson. "Four of those teams came close to winning a national championship, but unfortunately fell short."

Wilson has been part of a seven conference championships (1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009) while at San Jac, but has also coached in the Karl Young Collegiate League in Houston. As head coach of the Karl Young Rough Necks from 1998 to 2004, Wilson won the league championship twice.

“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.”

The 35-year-old Wilson played collegiately at San Jac before moving on to the University of Houston where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He is currently working on a Master of Education in Health and Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Tyler. He and his wife, Alisha, have two daughters, Kylee (9) and Madeline (3).

 

Kory Koehler
Assistant Coach
University of Houston (2008)
Tenth season

A former catcher at San Jacinto College (2000), Kory Koehler is now entering his 10th season as an assistant coach with the team. As a player, Koehler got to play in the JUCO World Series, and during his time as a coach, the team has made seven 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.”

The 30-year-old Koehler, originally from North Bay, New York, graduated from the University of Houston in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science, and in 2008 with a Master of Education in Physical education. Prior to coaching at San Jac he coached Adrean Post 625, Oneida County American Legion in Utica, New York, and the League City Hornets and Stan Musial Saints in Houston.

Koehler and his wife, Erika, were married in November 2006.

Jason Krug
Assistant Coach
Missouri Valley College (1995)
Second season

 

Jason Krug is in his second season with San Jacinto College coaching staff. Prior to joining the San Jac staff, he spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette where he assisted in the coaching of the middle infielders and hitters. In 2007, the Ragin Cajuns won the Sun Belt Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA regional tournament.

In December 2007, Krug was named the head coach of the Edenton (N.C.) Steamers in the Coastal Plains Summer Collegiate League. During the summer of 2008, the Steamers won the first-half divisional championship with an overall record of 20-7. For his efforts, he was named one of the head coaches for the 2008 Coastal Plains League All-Star game.

Krug has also held coaching positions as an assistant coach at Southwestern University, where he was the hitting coach. He also worked as an instructor and coach for the Austin Wings, serving as the head coach for the 17-under premier showcase team. Other coaching stints include the 2000 AAU national finalist team and the 2001 Connie Mack state champions. In 2006, Krug led the Wings to the 17-and-under Premier National Championship.

Before entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Krug spent nine years teaching and coaching at the high school level.

The 38-year old Krug holds a Bachelor’s in secondary education from Missouri Valley College, where he was a two-sport athlete in baseball and football.