WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 9) – Waynesburg University Head Football Coach and Assistant Provost For Undergraduate Learning Experiences Dr. Cornelius Coleman is excited to announce the addition of Dave Arnold to his staff. The 23-year coaching veteran, NCAA Division I all-conference honoree and NFL player will serve as Waynesburg's Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach.
"I was drawn to Waynesburg as another opportunity to coach young men at the collegiate level. I'm also excited about the chance to coach under Dr. Coleman, who is not only a good coach, but also a man of integrity," Arnold said. "I was also drawn to the faculty and staff and the closeness of the campus community."
Arnold comes to Waynesburg after four years at fellow Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) member Bethany, where he served as the Bison's defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Over his tenure in West Virginia, he coached 22 All-PAC selections and the 2019 PAC Newcomer of the Year, Dadrick Vickers.
Prior to getting his first taste of the PAC, Arnold spent three years as the Offensive Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach at NCAA Division II member Kentucky Wesleyan during his second stint with the Panthers. Speaking of the Division II realm, he served as Defensive Backs Coach at Mercyhurst University from 2010 to 2014.
Arnold made his first stop at Kentucky Wesleyan as its Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach from 2007 to 2009 and made his first stop in Division II when he arrived at Gannon University in 2004. Prior to his time with the Golden Knights, he made his collegiate coaching debut with NCAA Division I FCS member Central Connecticut State in 2001. Arnold spent three years as Defensive Backs Coach with the Blue Devils.
"The first thing about Dave is his football resume speaks for itself," Coleman said. "When you look at a man and a coach of his caliber, who already has 22 years of collegiate coaching experience … he brings a wealth of knowledge. He has been at the scholarship level already and he's coached at several schools in Western Pennsylvania, so he knows the high school coaches and student-athletes in this region. He can help us in recruiting, retention and student development."
Arnold's coaching experience alone would make him a tremendous hire. However, his playing experience is just as eye-opening. He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, in 1985. During his playing days for the Raiders, the standout received multiple all-conference and all-county awards as both a wide receiver and defensive back. His high school experience was punctuated by being selected to the prestigious North-South High School All-Star Game and the Associated Press Class AAA All-Ohio Team.
After graduating from Harding, Arnold put on the Maize and Blue of the University of Michigan as a defensive back for the Wolverines. During his time in Ann Arbor, he played in four bowl games, including the 1989 Rose Bowl, which Michigan won by defeating the University of Southern California 22-14. He was also a part of two Big Ten Championship teams and was a two-time All-Big Ten pick. He was a first-team all-league honoree in 1988.
Arnold's name is also written in the Michigan record book as the program's all-time leader for blocked punts.
"I think my coaching style comes from when I was a student-athlete at Michigan, but I wouldn't call it a system," Arnold said. "Bo Schembechler was my head coach and the life lessons he taught me were not only helpful to us as his players, but they are still today in 2023. Lloyd Carr was my defensive coordinator and he played a very important role in the way that I coach today. He and the rest of the staff taught me that you could get on a kid one minute and put your arm around him the next."
After his standout collegiate career, Arnold reached the pinnacle of the game when he was drafted in the fifth round of the 1989 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He appeared in 15 games during his rookie season before leaving the Steel City and spending time with the Houston Oilers.
Arnold's professional career moved him back up north into the Canadian Football League, where he spent three years (1992-94) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His pro playing days also took him across the Atlantic Ocean as a member of the Scottish Claymores of the World Football League. He got to end his playing days as a champion by hoisting the 1996 World Bowl trophy.
Away from the gridiron, Arnold completed his degree in Sports Management and Communications at Michigan in 1989. He is also a motivational speaker and is the founder of the D.A.S.H. program.
He and his wife, Nina Amendola, like to spend time enjoying the outdoors. Dave is also the proud father of three children, David Jr., who lives in North Carolina, Brionna, who lives in Indiana and Brandon, who resides in Ohio.
