Darnell (pictured left) will look to help the Tigers get back to their winning ways in 2009.

July 10, 2009

DARNELL JOINS NORTHEAST FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

BOONEVILLE, Miss. – When Northeast Mississippi Community College football coach Ricky
Smither was looking to replace offensive coordinator; he knew exactly where to turn.

Smither signed former University of Mississippi and Corinth High School standout quarterback John Darnell to lead the Tigers’ offense during the 2009 campaign.

Darnell made a name for himself during his senior season at the University of Mississippi. Darnell lead the Rebels to an 8-4 record his senior season capping the year with a 42-29 win over Air Force in
the Liberty Bowl. During the game, Darnell threw for 261 yards and a touchdown highlighting his career at the Oxford-based school.

During his final season, Darnell set school records in passing yards (2,326) and total offense (2,401) only to see those records eclipsed later by Stewart Patridge and future Super Bowl Most Valuable Player
(MVP) quarterback Eli Manning.

Darnell ended his Ole Miss career as the fifth leading passer and fifth best in total offense after only attempting 135 passes during his first three years in Oxford.

Darnell was a multi-sport athlete in high school as well as at the University of Mississippi. Darnell lettered in baseball during the 1988 season for the Rebels and competed for a spot during the 1987
campaign.

While in high school, Darnell re-wrote the Corinth High School record book. After being moved up to varsity his freshman year, Darnell went on to complete 301 of his 568 passes during his final three years for 4,296 yards and accumulated 4,558 net yards and 47 scores during his years at Corinth High School. Darnell topped his high school career when he caught a touchdown pass on a trick play during his final game.

The 1985 graduate of Corinth High school also finished his five-year baseball career at the Corinth-based school as a .373 hitter with 155 hits in 415 at bats while racking up 16 homeruns and 162 runs batted in.

Darnell did not slow down following his time at Ole Miss. He parlayed his success into a stint with the Tampa Bay Storm of the American Football League helping the Storm win an Arena Bowl Championship in 1991.

Darnell, who was part of the Tampa Bay Outlaws football team of the Professional Spring Football League in 1992, has clocked time as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Mississippi (1990-91) and at Delta State University (1993).

In 2004, the Daily Corinthian named Darnell as one of the Top 10 Athletes of Alcorn County since 1954.

The former Corinth Warrior also has an award named after him at his alma mater that goes to the multi-sport athlete who best exemplifies the attitude work ethic mental toughness, dedication, humility, patience, over achievement and compassion for teammates.

Darnell and his wife, Sydney, have two daughters McKenzie and Katie

###