Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers

Bio

Coach Mike Arellano enters his first season at Santa Barbara City College as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach in 2026.

He joins the Vaqueros after spending the previous 12 seasons on the coaching staff at Santa Barbara High School, where he served in a variety of defensive leadership roles. Most recently, he was Defensive Coordinator from 2023-25 after serving as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach from 2021-22. Prior to that, he worked as Assistant Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach from 2018-20 and as Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator from 2014-17.

A graduate of Carpinteria High School, Coach Mike was a two-way football player at center, longsnapper, and defensive end, earning All-League honors at center before continuing his education at the University of Oregon. He graduated from Oregon in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and a minor in History.

While attending Oregon, he served as a student equipment manager under legendary coaches Mike Bellotti and Chip Kelly. Working closely with the football program for three seasons provided invaluable experience and helped shape his understanding of the game while observing and assisting one of the nation's premier programs.

Coach Mike and his wife, Nicole Arellano, reside in Ventura with their daughter, Lola, as well as their dog, Hitch, and cat, Nacho.