Arroyo named offensive coordinator

University of Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen announced on Wednesday that Marcus Arroyo has been hired as the Cowboys’ new offensive coordinator.

Arroyo was most recently the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, San Jose State University. He played quarterback for the Spartans from 1998-2002.

“Marcus Arroyo is one of the brightest, up-and-coming, spread offensive coordinators in the country,” said Christensen. “Marcus came out to Missouri to clinic with us. I was very, very impressed with him at that time, and he has been on my list of potential offensive coordinators since that point.

“He has coordinated the same offense at San Jose as we run. He has done an excellent job as the quarterbacks’ coach there, and has a special understanding for the position, having played the position in college where he had a great career at San Jose State. I’m excited about what he brings to our staff, and I believe he will do a tremendous job of coordinating our offense and coaching our quarterbacks at Wyoming.”

“My decision to come to Wyoming started with Coach Christensen,” said Arroyo. “I love his enthusiasm, his energy and his discipline. I’m extremely excited to be a part of his staff and a part of building something special here at Wyoming.

“It was hard to leave my alma mater. Coach (Dick) Tomey gave me a great opportunity to coach at San Jose State, and is a special man. I was thrilled to be part of an exciting time there, but I see Wyoming as an amazing situation and an amazing program with a great tradition.

“I look forward to help building on that tradition and past success. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Arroyo began his college coaching career in 2003 following an outstanding playing career at San Jose State. He has been the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater the past three seasons, and has been the co-offensive coordinator and play-caller for the Spartans the past two seasons under Tomey. In two of those three seasons, 2006 and 2008, the Spartans earned bowl eligible status. In 2006, San Jose State posted a record of 9-4, and earned a berth in the inaugural New Mexico Bowl where they defeated New Mexico by a score of 20-12. This past year, SJSU achieved bowl eligibility status with a 6-6 mark but weren’t invited to a bowl game.

From 2006 to 2007, he tutored the Spartans’ all-time leading passer, Adam Tafralis. Tafralis holds school records for career passing yards (7,548) and career total offense (8,111). He also ranks third in school history in passing efficiency, with a career rating of 131.5. Tafralis set a San Jose State single-season record for completion percentage in 2006, completing 65.6 percent of his passes. He also completed 62.8 percent of his passes in 2007, becoming the first quarterback in school history to complete 60 percent or more of his pass attempts in back-to-back seasons.

Arroyo, himself, was the starting quarterback for the Spartans in 1998 and from 2000-02. He ranks No. 9 in career passing yards (4,603), No. 9 in career total offense (4,525) and No. 10 in career passing efficiency (115.6 rating) at San Jose State. During his playing career, he led San Jose State to a 27-24 win over then No. 9 ranked and previously unbeaten TCU in 2000. That same season, he guided the Spartans to a 40-27 road win over Stanford. Perhaps his best career game came against Nevada in 2001, when he threw for 476 yards and five touchdowns, while posting a passing rating of 298.0 in a 64-45 home victory over the Wolfpack.

Before joining the Spartan staff as a full-time coach in 2006, Arroyo served as a graduate assistant at SJSU in 2005. In 2004, he was the offensive coordinator at Prairie View A&M, an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team in Prairie View, Texas. He served as an undergraduate assistant coach at his alma mater in 2003, while completing his degree in kinesiology.

Arroyo is 28 years old, born Jan. 23, 1980. He played his high school football at Colfax High School in Colfax, Calif.

Other members of Christensen’s first coaching staff at Wyoming that were previously announced include: Marty English, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers; Mike Fanoga, Outside Linebackers; Alex Grinch, Secondary; Jim Harding, Tight Ends; Jerry Montgomery, Defensive Line: and Jason Ray, Running Backs. Coaching positions yet to be announced are: wide receivers coach and offensive line coach.