Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet, WR/DB Barry Wagner and OL/DL Sam Hernandez Elected to AFL Hall of Fam
August 12, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, CA - The SaberCats are proud to announce Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet, WR/DB Barry Wagner and OL/DL Sam Hernandez have been elected to the AFL Hall of Fame. They become the first three from the SaberCats organization to be elected to the AFL Hall of Fame. All 10 candidates eligible for the Hall of Fame were selected by the AFL Hall of Fame Operating Board of Directors.
"I am truly honored to be elected to the Hall of Fame," said Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet. "I want to thank John Fry for giving me the chance to coach this team and all the support he gave me over the years. It makes it even more special to go in with Barry Wagner and Sam Hernandez who were key pieces to our success over the years. It's great to receive this recognition, but there should be a lot more names next to mine because I couldn't have received this honor without the help and support of the people who made this franchise into what it is today."
Arbet becomes just the fourth head coach to be elected into the AFL Hall of Fame and the first since former Utah Blaze and Arizona Rattlers Head Coach Danny White was inducted in 2002. During his 15 years with the franchise, 11 as head coach (1999-2008, 2011), Arbet has compiled a 129-62 overall record (114-56 regular season, 15-6 postseason), earning three ArenaBowl titles (2002, 2004, 2007) and Coach of the Year honors (2000, 2002) during his coaching career. He currently ranks fourth in league history with 114 regular season wins, posting the third-highest winning percentage (.671). One of the most successful coaches in AFL postseason history, Arbet holds the highest winning percentage among coaches with at least 20 games (.714).
Wagner (6-3, 225) becomes just the fifth wide receiver/defensive back to be named to the Hall of Fame after spending seven seasons (2000-06) with San Jose following the first eight years of his career with the Orlando Predators (1992-99). He earned three ArenaBowl titles, winning two with San Jose in 2002 and 2004 after winning his first championship with the Orlando Predators in 1998. Wagner was voted the second greatest player in league history by the AFL Historical Committee in 2006 and currently ranks second all-time in AFL career annals with 13,363 receiving yards after holding the career receiving title until this past season. Wagner also earned Ironman of the Year honors from 1992-97 and Offensive Player of the Year in 1995 and 1997. He currently ranks as the San Jose franchise career leader in rushing touchdowns (58) and forced fumbles (19) while ranking third in all-purpose yards (6,641) and total tackles (345.5).
Hernandez (6-3, 255) becomes the fifth offensive/defensive lineman to be elected to the AFL Hall of Fame, currently ranking as the league's all-time leader in sacks with 59.0. A 13-year veteran of the AFL, he served the final eight seasons of his career with the SaberCats (1998-2005) helping them to two ArenaBowl titles (2002, 2004). Hernandez is also the franchise leader in career (38.5) and single-season sacks (12.0, 2000), while ranking second with 16 forced fumbles and 14.5 tackles for loss. Prior to San Jose, he served stints with the Charlotte Rage (1992), Las Vegas Sting (1994-95) and Anaheim Pirahnas (1996-97).
The 2011 AFL Hall of Fame Class will be inducted during the 2012 Kickoff Weekend.
For more information on the entire 2011 Hall of Fame class go to arenafootball.com .
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Arena Football League Stories from August 12, 2011
- Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet, WR/DB Barry Wagner and OL/DL Sam Hernandez Elected to AFL Hall of Fam - San Jose SaberCats
- Stevie Thomas, Sylvester Bembery and George Lafrance elected to 2011 Arena Football Hall of Fame Cla - Tampa Bay Storm
- Chicago Rush President/GM Gene Nudo Named to 2011 AFL Hall of Fame Class - Chicago Rush
- Orlando's Barry Wagner Part of 2011 AFL Hall of Fame Class - Orlando Predators
- AFL Announces 2011 Hall of Fame Class - AFL
- Managing Member David Fry Named AFL Executive of the Year - San Jose SaberCats
- Commissioner Kurz Named Founder's Award Recipient - AFL
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