Former Saint Louis School and University of Utah quarterback Darnell Arceneaux has been named head football coach at Mililani, athletic director Glenn Nitta announced yesterday.

Arceneaux, 29, takes over for James Millwood, who stepped down last month after compiling more career victories (84) than any active O'ahu Interscholastic Association football coach in the past 13 seasons.

Arceneaux was Mililani's offensive coordinator last season, the third time in four years the Trojans advanced to the OIA semifinals and state tournament.

"James and Mr. Nitta laid a great foundation for the football program here, and I just hope I can be another piece to the puzzle," said Arceneaux, who lives near the Mililani campus. "I think we're on the right track, and I want us to continue growing."

Arceneaux, who was chosen over five other candidates, was Saint Louis' head coach for one season in 2003 and guided the Crusaders to their 18th straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship and a runner-up finish in the state tournament. He was only 25 years old at the time and was hired June 23, 2003, leaving him less than two months to prepare for his first game.

But Arceneaux said he still sees similarities between the two jobs.

"This is another high-profile program, and the expectations are just as high," he said. "Having been through it at Saint Louis, I think I understand situations a little better now, especially as far as my responsibilities off the field. But the opportunity to coach a program like Saint Louis or Mililani, these are once-in-a-lifetime things and it's a great honor."

Nitta said Arceneaux's community ties were a big factor in his hiring. Arceneaux's fiance teaches at Mililani Middle School and his son is involved in youth baseball, basketball and soccer.

Arceneaux currently works for Matson Navigation but is looking into a possible faculty or staff position at Mililani for next school year.

"It's wonderful to be part of a program where you live," he said. "I walk into a store, and I see people who come up to me wearing Mililani football shirts. Some of them have kids who graduated two or three years ago, but they still come to the games. It's great to be part of that kind of community."

Arceneaux said defensive coordinator Ma'a Tanuvasa — a former Mililani, University of Hawai'i and Denver Broncos standout — indicated he would return, and he hopes to retain other staff members. Arceneaux added he plans on running the same multiple offense the Trojans employed last season.

"We'll do a lot of what we did last year, and our system is going to ask our kids to make some adjustments on the fly," he said. "My philosophy hasn't changed; we'll still try to make you cover the whole field. The main thing is we want to be in games and win games in the fourth quarter."

Arceneaux quarterbacked Saint Louis to three Prep Bowl championships from 1993 to '95, then became a starter at Utah. He also played quarterback for three seasons with the Hawaiian Islanders professional arena team.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.