Coach Derrick Arnold enters his third season at NCCU.
After spendng the 2006 season as the Eagles linebackers coach, Arnold served as special teams coordinator beginning in 2007.
Arnold came to NCCU after spending three seasons at Fort Valley State University. During his first two seasons (2003-04) with the Wildcats, Arnold served as Special Teams Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator before adding the role of Defensive Coordinator to his slate in 2005, when the team ranked 11th in the NCAA in turnover margin. In 2004, his special teams unit finished second in the nation in kickoff returns.
Prior to FVSU, Arnold worked at the University of Massachusetts for three seasons, coaching tight ends in 2002 and defensive backs as a graduate assistant in 2000-01.
A 1997 graduate of Salisbury University, Arnold coached wide receivers and tight ends at his alma mater in 1999. During his four-year playing career (1992-95), he became one of Salisbury's all-time leading receivers with 83 catches.
Arnold started his coaching career at DuVal High School in Lanham, Maryland, in 1997.
He and his wife, Talisha, are the proud parents of their three-year-old daughter, Denia.
