Tom Arth
photo by contributed
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics David Blackburn announced the hiring of Tom Arth as the 23rd head coach of Mocs football on Monday. Arth is the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.
A former NFL quarterback, Arth (35) owns a 40-8 overall record in four seasons at his alma mater. His building of the John Carroll program was highlighted by this year's road victories over two No.
1 ranked opponents in Mount Union and Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The 2016 Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year guided the Blue Streaks to the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the third time in his four-year tenure. In the four seasons under Arth's leadership, John Carroll was among the nation's elite, finishing inside the top 25 every season including top 5 finishes in 2016 (No. 3) and 2014 (No. 5).
"When we started this search, we were looking for proven winners who could continue the rise of Chattanooga football," stated Blackburn. "Tom Arth quickly separated himself from an impressive pool of candidates. He is an outstanding man of character, knows football and will be a tremendous influence on our student-athletes."
John Carroll won the league's automatic bid for the first time in school history in 2016, breaking Mount Union's run of 24 consecutive OAC titles. The Blue Streaks finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation, tying a school record with a 12-2 overall tally and a 9-0 mark in league action. It was their first outright conference championship since 1989.
"This is an incredibly special moment for my family and I," stated Arth. "Lauren and I are so grateful to David Blackburn and Dr. Steve Angle for believing in me and for the humbling opportunity to carry on the standard of excellence and success that has been established within the Mocs football program.
"UTC, first and foremost, is an outstanding school that places a high value on excellence as well as the experience of their students. It is a university that we will confidently recruit to, knowing that our student-athletes will receive an incredible education while competing at the highest level within our football program.
"I am confident that our team will make the Chattanooga community proud and that our players will be well equipped to achieve success following graduation."
After graduating from JCU in 2003, Arth spent three seasons as a backup quarterback to Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts. He spent part of those years playing in NFL Europe and was on the preseason roster with the Green Bay Packers in 2006.
"I was very impressed with the way he ran his program at John Carroll," added Blackburn. "Much like us, they have had tremendous success over the last few years, so his football knowledge speaks for itself.
"He has a solid vision for what he wants to do at Chattanooga that will continue to make the Mocs football program a source of pride for our University."
Arth returned to John Carroll in 2010, where he assisted for three seasons before taking the reins in 2013. His roles included Director of Football Operations, co-offensive coordinator, assistant recruiting coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In the four seasons prior to Arth becoming head coach, JCU was 19-21. His squads averaged 10 wins per season since.
Arth earned NCAA Division III Regional Coach of the Year honors after a 9-2 record in his first season in 2013. Those nine wins were the most by a first-year JCU head coach, and the Blue Streaks climbed into the top 25 in the national polls.
The 2014 team made it back to the DIII playoffs, giving John Carroll back-to-back appearances for the first time in school history. His charges matched a school record soaring to a No. 5 national ranking, while advancing to the quarterfinals with an 11-2 record. The 2015 squad won eight of 10 games, marking the first time since 1996-98 JCU had three-straight eight-win seasons.
Arth earned his degree from John Carroll in Physical Education in 2003. He and his wife, Lauren, have five children, Caroline, Tommy, Kate, Patrick and Elizabeth.
Personal
Full Name: Thomas Edward Arth
Born: May 11, 1981
Hometown: Westlake, Ohio
Age: 35
Wife: Lauren
Children: Caroline (10), Tommy (8), Kate (7), Patrick (5) and Elizabeth (1).
Education: John Carroll University - B.S. Physical Education (2003)
Head Coaching Experience
2013 John Carroll University 9–2 8–1 2nd NCAA Division III First Round
2014 John Carroll University 11–2 8–1 2nd NCAA Division III Quarterfinals
2015 John Carroll University 8–2 7–2 T2nd
2016 John Carroll University 12-2 9-0 1st NCAA Division III Semifinals
Totals 4 Years 40-8 34-4
Honors
2016 NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year
2016 Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
2013 NCAA Division III Regional Coach of the Year
2013 Ohio Athletic Conference co-Coach of the Year
Additional Team Notes
- Coached 11 D3Football.com, three AFCA and two AP Little All-Americans.
- On average over the last four years, John Carroll has allowed 12.1 points and 242 yards of total offense per game.
- Offensively, the Blue Streaks scored over 38 points and 428 yards per game.
- On special teams, JCU has seen season rankings as high as second in kickoff returns, 19th in kickoff return defense, 25th in punting, and 1st in blocked kicks and blocked punts.
- Overall, 34 all-time team and individual records broken since 2013.
Assistant Coaching Experience
2010-12 – John Carroll University
Director of Football Operations, Co-offensive coordinator
Assistant recruiting coordinator
Quarterbacks coach
Professional Playing Career
2003-05 - Indianapolis Colts
2004 - Scottish Claymores (NFL Europe)
2005 - Hamburg Sea Devils (NFL Europe)
2006 - Green Bay Packers
2007 - Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
2007 - Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL)
2008 – Georgia Force (AFL)
Collegiate Playing Career
1999-02 - John Carroll University
- Set 18 John Carroll football records as its quarterback.
- Earned unanimous All-American honors as a junior and senior.
- In 2002, he guided the Blue Streaks to a 12-2 record, an East region championship, and a berth in the NCAA Division III national semifinals for the first time in program history.
Few More Notes
- The 35-year old Tom Arth is just one year shy of legendary Coach Joe Morrison's age when he took over the Mocs in 1973.
- Arth is the first at UTC with previous head coaching experience since Harold Drew in 1924.
- Both of the last two head coaches at UTC have come from the state of Ohio – Arth from Westlake and Russ Huesman from Cincinnati.
- Arth is now one of two UTC head coaches from Ohio, joining Lima native Chad Camper who leads the Mocs women's tennis program.
Recent Newsclips
Lessons In Leadership Forged During Time Spent With Peyton Manning
Feb. 10, 2016 – John Carroll University Website
JCU football coach says his team will continue fighting for respect
Dec. 15, 2016 - News-Herald
John Carroll's streak-snapping victory resonated with Patriots staffers
Nov. 15, 2016 – ESPN.com
"I am very happy for Tom Arth. Tom was with the Indianapolis Colts with me. You could tell then he was very cerebral and had the qualities to be a great coach. I have stayed in touch with him and he worked our Manning Passing Academy. He did a great job at John Carroll and I think he will be an excellent coach for UTC. He has strong work ethic, a passion for football and is a great hire for UTC."
- Peyton Manning
"Tom is an incredible football coach and leader and an even better friend. His work ethic, knowledge and passion for the game of football is infectious, and I am grateful to have shared the opportunity to work with him. Tom has done a great job at John Carroll over the past seven seasons and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga should be very excited about the quality of work that he will bring to their university and football program on a daily basis. I look forward to seeing his continued success and the impact he can make on so many individuals."
- Dave Caldwell - Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager