SHS grad helps build Ducks football program

Thomas Arends, a Sisters High School graduate, class of 2009, will be returning to work at the University of Oregon this upcoming season - as Director of Player Personnel.

Arends attended the University of Oregon from 2009-2012 studying economics with a minor in business. He had always had a natural interest and inclination toward sports.

"When I was young, at sleepovers I wouldn't want to watch cartoons or movies, I would want to watch SportsCenter," he said.

He always had a love for football, and played in high school. Early on, he was interested in recruiting.

"I loved all aspects of the game and especially the recruitment aspect, and I caught the bug as an intern at Oregon starting in 2009 and it's crazy - 11 years later I am in the industry," he told The Nugget.

Starting out at the University of Oregon, he was the lowest man on the totem pole under Coach Chip Kelly. When Kelly left to coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, Mark Helfrich hired Arends for the full-time position of Assistant Director of Player Personnel for his first two years on the job, and then Director of Recruiting Operations/High School Relations for his last two years.

After the firing of Helfrich after the 2016-2017 season, Arends went to Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

"The work environment was different, for sure," he said.

During the recruitment process, he would attend Texas high school games.

"Watching high school football in Texas is a whole other world compared to Oregon high schools," he said. "They have huge gatherings, 500-person bands and cheerleaders and it's just a huge deal down there," he said.

Arends said that he felt very happy working in Texas and was immersed in the culture of Baylor. "It was the best thing that could've happened to me, especially professionally," he said. "I learned a lot under Coach Rhule, head coach at Baylor, I learned more about process work and really valued that job."

Arends is looking forward to being back in Eugene working next season under Head Coach Mario Cristoball as the Director of Player Personnel.

His job essentially entails making sure that the school is choosing the right players. He builds a team of guys from different backgrounds and locations and brings them together within the Oregon football community. He helps prepare recruit tryouts and walk-on tryouts. Arends is the home base when it comes to coaches going out to high schools and doing recruitment visits. He calls it "air traffic control," where he makes sure everything goes smoothly. He makes sure the program is following all the right rules and procedures for the process of recruiting high schoolers.

"It is important for the staff to know an area of high schools where there are up-and-coming players, so in the most important month of recruitment, which is May, coaches are able to visit high schools and coordinate recruiting opportunities," Arends said.

Arends is back in Eugene currently trying to get settled in again.

"It's been a whirlwind," he said in an interview earlier this month. "A week ago I was in Waco and now I am back in Eugene getting started and trying to catch up on the players and what's happening within the community."

He is looking forward to being back in Eugene, where home in Sisters is only two hours away.