Hall of Fame
A graduate of Sardis High School, where he was selected All-Conference in football, basketball, and baseball, Arnold enrolled at Northwest in 1953. He called the signals for the Ranger football team and served as pitcher and shortstop on the baseball team, earning All-State honors. Upon graduation, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He continued his education at Arkansas State University, where he played football and was captain of the baseball team.
In 1957, he began his coaching career at Batesville High School, later serving as head football coach and compiling an 80-21 record that included one Delta Valley Conference and five Chickasaw Conference football championships. This record earned him Coach of the Year honors on six occasions.
Arnold stayed active in competitive sports during his coaching career, playing on several semi-professional baseball teams throughout the area. He was named principal of South Panola High School in 1981 and remained there until his retirement in 1989. The Batesville school gave him a 32 and a half-year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator.
