Dragons hire Sulphur Springs alum to be new coach

Paris Junior College announced in a press release Tuesday that Sulphur Springs native Fernando Arellano has been named the new Women’s and Men’s Soccer Coach. The released also stated that new tryouts have been scheduled at Noyes Stadium for Saturday, July 17.

“We are pleased to have Coach Arellano at PJC and look forward to this fall and future seasons with his leadership guiding the program,” Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC president, said.

The tryouts for the women’s team are set for 12 p.m. on July 17, while the men’s tryouts are set for two hours later.

“It feels great to be back home, to give back to the East Texas community and athletes,” Arellano said. “And provide opportunities for athletes to grow as individuals and in the professional soccer world.

“East Texas has a great amount of talent that I am sure we can help expose at PJC. We can help these athletes become success in life with the help of soccer,” Arellano added. “I’m excited to start this journey and share my experience and knowledge with the teams.”

Arellano began his coaching career as assistant boys soccer coach at Sulphur Springs and was a volunteer coach for Murray State College and Richland College in 2017 and 2018. Since then he has coached at Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia and Southwest Virginia Community College.

Arellano has an accomplished playing career as well, playing with the National Premier Soccer League team Tyler FC during their first season in 2017. Arellano also played at the NCAA Division 1 level at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and even helped lead his team to a win over No. 24 ranked UNLV in 2015.

For more information about the soccer teams and tryouts, contact Arellano at farellano@parisjc.edu.