A former standout defensive back with the program and longtime coach at the scholastic level, Brian Tarrant enters his first season as the cornerbacks coach at California (PA) in 2022.
Tarrant received All-PSAC West laurels with the Vulcans in 1999 and 2000 before serving nearly two decades at the scholastic level around the WPIAL. He most recently served as an assistant coach at Pine-Richland following coaching stints at Wilkinsburg, Northgate, Shaler and Penn Hills.
In 1999, Tarrant earned All-PSAC West First-Team status and helped the Vulcans rank second in the league in passing defense. He tied for third in the PSAC with six interceptions to mark the highest total for a Cal player in over a decade. As a senior, Tarrant claimed All-PSAC West Second-Team honors while recording four interceptions. Cal paced the league with 18 interceptions and again finished second in the conference in passing defense at just 131.5 yards per game, plus allowed only seven passing touchdowns in 11 games.
Tarrant served five seasons as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Penn Hills from 2017-21. The Indians captured the Class 5A WPIAL and PIAA Championships in 2018 while finishing the year with an undefeated 16-0 record. The title run by Penn Hills was led by the 2018 Mr. Pennsylvania Football Daequan Hardy, who is currently a junior defensive back at Penn State.
Following the 2021 season, Tarrant accepted the position of defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Pine-Richland – another Class 5A program – before joining the Vulcans in the fall.
Tarrant started his coaching career at Wilkinsburg, his scholastic alma mater, and eventually served as head coach for one year. He then spent one season as the defensive coordinator at Northgate before spending time as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Shaler.
In his first year on Cal coaching staff, Tarrant will have the opportunity to mentor his nephew Cam Tarrant, who is returning for his senior season. Cam Tarrant has totaled 765 receiving yards with six touchdowns on 82 receptions during his college career.
Tarrant serves as a maintenance engineer for Laurel Real Estate Service in the private sector. He completed his bachelor’s degree from Cal in liberal studies.
He resides in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, with his wife Melissa and their two children, Mikall and Prince.
