Cougar Athletics
31 NAIA National Championships
99 GSAC Championships
...and counting

jdarnell@apu.edu

Josh Darnell is in his third year on the Cougar coaching staff and serves as the offensive coordinator.

Darnell came to Azusa Pacific after a 1-year stint at Louisburg College, a Christian junior college in Louisburg, North Carolina, where he served as the offensive coordinator and taught English. The Hurricanes averaged 27 points and 200 yards rushing a game during the 2005 campaign.

Prior to his time at Louisburg, Darnell coached 1 year at Eastern Arizona College, a juco in Thatcher, Arizona, where he was the offensive line coach. The Gila Monsters were 12th in the nation in total offense and allowed just 13 sacks in 10 games and 430 pass attempts.

Darnell was the offensive and recruiting coordinators for 3 seasons at Independence (Kan.) College. In his second year, the Pirates averaged 350 yards total offense and were 16th in the nation in passing. The Pirates had 3 players who finished among the top 20 in the NJCAA in passing, rushing and receiving.

Familiar with Azusa Pacific, Darnell was hired by former Cougar head coach Peter Shinnick then at Humboldt State shortly before Shinnick took the Azusa Pacific job. Darnell went on to coach 2 seasons with the Lumberjacks, working on both sides of the line.

Darnell began his coaching career in 1996 at his alma mater San Clemente (Calif.) High, where he coached for 3 years.

As a 1995 senior, he helped lead the Tritons to the South Coast League title, while earning all-league recognition.

Active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Darnell started FCA huddles at Louisburg, Independence and Eastern Arizona.

Darnell, who is single and resides in Glendora, graduated from Humboldt State in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in English education. He earned his master's in health and human performance from Fort Hays State University in 2005.