By Stevie Corio — Reporter
Competition is always more fun when it is a friendly rivalry. Saturday’s game for San Jose State football comes with a twist, as they will be facing one of their own.
Marcus Arroyo is a Spartan alum, and was their quarterback coach for three seasons under former head coach Dick Tomey. Arroyo is now the head coach of the UNLV football team, and the both of them are looking forward to facing each other on Saturday.
“I love Marcus. He’s one of my favorite people in the world,” SJSU head coach Brent Brennan said.
Brennan, then the receiving coach under Tomey, says his relationship with Arroyo is one that he values highly. He and Arroyo talk almost every other day, and even rehash their games over the phone.
“Brent’s my best friend,” said Arroyo during a press conference on Monday.
To say that they spent a lot of time together is an understatement, which is usually the case if you’re part of a Division I football coaching staff.
“I have a lot of really good memories and a lot of really good friends on that staff,” Arroyo said.
Both Brennan and Arroyo have strayed away from San Jose State at different points in their football careers, but have continued their close friendship.
Brennan left to become the wide receivers coach at Oregon State before coming back to take SJSU’s head coaching position. While Arroyo’s journey has taken him all across the country, including a year as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterbacks coach in 2014.
“The football world keeps separating us and bringing us back together,” Brennan said.
SJSU-UNLV will be an interesting matchup in more ways than one. The way the Spartans have been playing lately in combination with the energy of Brennan and Arroyo will lead to a very competitive and entertaining game.
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