Coach Darren started practicing Taekwondo in Montana in 1983. The part-time hobby eventually became a full-time pursuit. His obsession with martial arts would eventually lead to the decision to change career paths, and after short stints teaching in Korea and Montana, he opted to try his hand at teaching martial arts professionally. In 1995 he relocated to Roseville, CA where he worked with 1988 Olympian Jay Warwick. He managed, and eventually purchased the U.S. Taekwondo Center which he owned & operated until 2004.
The move to California was a turning point in his career. Dabbling in Aikido & Judo at Montana State University paled compared to the rich martial arts environment of California. Here one could train with the best of the best: world-class instructors and world champions in taekwondo, Eskrima, Judo, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ). Over time, BJJ became his primary focus, second only to his family.
Darren and his wife Agnes have made their home in Roseville, where they’re raising their three amazing daughters. When not busy being a dad, Darren can be found on the mat, both as a student and as a teacher.
