ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State football program will feature several new faces on the sideline this fall. Head coach Rob Smith announced the addition of eight new coaches to complete the staff for the 2016 season.
 
Darren Arbet (linebackers/assistant head coach/special teams), Aaron Price (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Cory White (offensive line), Bo Montgomery (defensive line), Taylor Mitchell (linebackers assistant/co-recruiting coordinator), Markelle Martin (corners), Austen Jacobs (tight ends/co-recruiting coordinator) and Vince Gonzales (running backs) join the Lumberjack coaching staff.
 
"We are very excited about this group and pleased with the way it all came together," said Smith. "It was a unique situation when you lose so many coaches late in spring practice like we did. We lost those coaches for all the right reasons, they advanced their careers, but it was a difficult situation."
 
Aaron Price brings 20 years of coaching experience to the North Coast. He spent the last three seasons working at Division I Tulane University (2013-15), after spending nine years at UTEP (2004-12) working with his father, legendary head coach Mike Price. Aaron Price has been part of seven bowl teams as a coach or player, including three at UTEP and four at his alma mater Washington State.
 
"I have known coach Price's dad, Mike, for a long time – he actually recruited me when I was in high school," said Smith. "Aaron has been a coordinator at Washington State, UTEP and a quarterback coach at Tulane with some other stops as well. He comes in with tremendous experience and ideas within the offense we run. Our offense really goes back to Mike Price and Dennis Erickson back in the 80s and 90s. He has been good to work with, we are on the same page and I am excited for what he will add."
 
White is no stranger to Humboldt State fans. He played with the Green and Gold during the 2002-03 seasons. White spent the 2015 season working at New Mexico State as director of player development. Prior to working with the Aggies, he spent time as a coach at Chapman University (Calif.), the University of San Diego, San Diego Mesa and Whittier.
 
"Cory White is a Humboldt alum, which was very important in the hiring. He has worn the colors, knows what Humboldt is all about and has a passion for Humboldt State," said Smith. "He came with high recommendations from previous coaches he worked with and people here that remember him."
 
Arbet joins HSU after spending 15 seasons as head coach of the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League. He led the SaberCats to four ArenaBowl Championships (2002, 2004, 2007 and 2015) and his teams won 10 or more regular season games in 12 of 15 seasons. Arbet was twice named AFL Coach of the Year (2000 and 2002) and was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2011.
 
"I am excited about the opportunity to bring on a Hall of Fame coach like Darren Arbet," said Smith. "He is distinguished and accomplished in the Arena Football League. When San Jose folded up he had an interest in getting back to the outdoor game."
 
Montgomery spent the last two seasons at Division I University of Hawaii. He spent the spring of 2016 as the program's quality control where he worked with the defensive line and special team units. Last fall, Montgomery handled quality control duties, worked with the linebackers and served as assistant recruiting coordinator.
 
"Coach Montgomery worked with and received a high recommendation from coach Legi Suiaunoa from Hawaii," said Smith. "Legi is someone I have so much respect for and coached for me back in 2005."
 
Martin spent the 2015 season as a defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater Division I Oklahoma State University. Before working on the defensive side, he spent the spring of 2015 as an offensive staff assistant. Martin was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, and he also signed a professional contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
 
"Coach Martin had an outstanding playing career, got drafted and played in the NFL for a little bit," said Smith. "His knowledge of secondary play can really benefit the players he will coach."
 
Smith also addressed the young coaches that are beginning their coaching careers.
 
"We have some young coaches that will join us, including Taylor Mitchell. I have always taken great pleasure in introducing young coaches to the coaching profession. We add Taylor, Austen Jacobs from Colorado State, Vince Gonzales from Eastern Oregon, and we return Nick Williams, Austin Ashcraft and Nate Merrill. They are young and energetic guys that have a passion for a game and a high interest level in coaching for a career."
 
HSU opens the 2016 season on Thursday, Sept. 1 in Jefferson City, Tenn., against Carson-Newman. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3.