In his first year as General Manager and Head Coach of the Bay Area Panthers, Darren Arbet is looking to speed up the learning curve to rebuild the franchise.   Arbet built his career in the Arena Football League with the San Jose Sabercats and understands those experiences don't automatically transfer to success in the Indoor Football League.

Arbet spent last season as the radio and TV analyst for the team to get his first taste of the IFL.  In hopes of turning the franchise around, he's getting help from a staff with extensive experience in the league.

Defensive Coordinator Rob Keefe led a championship defense at Northern Arizona to add to his jewelry collection and Offensive Coordinator Dixie Wooten won a title in Iowa and coached MVP's Drew Powell and Daquan Neal.  The only returning coach from last year's staff is Kerry Soppett, who blew away Arbet in the interview process.  Those are the headliners on a staff with extensive indoor football experience.

"Those guys have forgotten more about the IFL than I know," said Arbet.  "I'm excited they're working with the Bay Area Panthers and we have an opportunity to go out there and see how good we can be in the end.  We hope we can get into that tournament and make some noise."

In order to reach the postseason, the Panthers will have to navigate a schedule with a challenging start with four consecutive games against playoff teams from last year.  It starts at home on March 26 against Arizona.

"We start off with the best team in the league in the Arizona Rattlers and then we go on the road against one of the most talented teams in the league in the Massachusetts Pirates," said Arbet.  "Anytime you have a tough start like that, you have to be ready to go."

The opening gauntlet continues with home games against Tucson and the defending champion Northern Arizona Wranglers.
 
The chase for the playoffs ends with four of the last five on the road, including a stretch of three straight against Arizona, Vegas and Frisco.  The final home game is against San Diego on July 10 before wrapping the regular season at Duke City.

Over the long grind, Arbet has trust in the process each week with work on the field and in the film room.

 "Sometimes you watch it; sometimes you don't.  Sometimes you pull out the good plays or use something as a teaching moment for something that didn't go positive for you," said Arbet.  "It's all a feeling but you still go through the process to get your mind and body right each week to give it everything you have."

Bay Area Panthers 2023 Home Schedule

Sunday, March 26, 5:05 PM v. Arizona Rattlers
Sunday, April 16, 5:05 PM v. Tucson Sugar Skulls
Sunday, April 23, 5:05 PM v.  Northern Arizona Wranglers
Monday, May 8, 7:05 PM v. Vegas Knight Hawks
Saturday, May 20, 6:05 PM v. Frisco Fighters
Saturday, June 3, 6:05 PM v. Duke City Gladiators
Monday, July 10, 7:06 PM v. San Diego Strike Force

Single Game and Season tickets for the Bay Area Panthers 2023 season are on sale NOW