Head Coach
Tom Arrington
Texas A&M University (1987)
Overall Record: 492-168 (.745), 12th season
Phone: (281) 459-7613
tom.arrington@sjcd.edu
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 the 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 seven trips to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) JUCO World Series, including three appearances in the national title game, and a thrilling run through Grand Junction, culminating as the national runner-up in 2010.
Last season ended earlier than Arrington would have liked, but the success of his team and players can’t be overlooked. It was another 40 win season for San Jac, six players were drafted in the Major League Baseball (MLB) first-year player draft, and the pitching duo of Tyler Wright and Miguel Pena went 20-4 overall, earning All- America honors.
The 2010 season was the most successful under Arrington. He guided San Jac to an unprecedented 21st trip to the NJCAA World Series, finishing as the national runner-up. Four players were named to the All-Tournament team in Grand Junction, three earned postseason honors, and nine were selected in the MLB first-year player draft. San Jac’s appearance in the national championship game was the 12th in program history, and the national runner-up finish was the seventh. San Jac finished
the season with a 52-12 overall record.
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 492-168 (.745) 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 more than 100 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 seven trips (to the national tournament) in 10 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 Triple A 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, and in the Spring of 2011, was named the athletic director for the San Jacinto College North Campus.
“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, Calif., 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 48-year-old Arrington and his wife, Marya, have a son Alden (12) and a daughter Anya Lily (9).