After graduating from Weber HS In May of 1983, Darren attended Elmhurst College for a year and played basketball for the Blue Jays. He then left school to enter the work force and planned to marry his wife Joan shortly thereafter. In 1992, after several years in sales, Darren had the opportunity to begin coaching high school basketball at Fenton High School in Bensenville. Falling in love with coaching, he opted to return to school to pursue a degree in business and education. Darren coached at Fenton High School until 2000 when he earned the opportunity to be the head basketball coach and athletic director at Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst. Darren remained at ICHS for 12 years rebuilding the basketball program while also leading the entire athletic program into the 21st century with added programs, facilities and increased athletic offerings.In 2013, Darren moved to Oswego High School as their athletic director. In 2016, he also assumed the role of District Athletic Director in School District 308, overseeing the 2 high school and 5 junior high athletic programs where he remained until 2024.

In 2024-25, Darren moved to St. Charles East to assume the role of Athletic Director for the Saints. He has served the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in a variety of roles over the last 25 years and has been a highly respected and award-winning athletic administrator. Following are some of the accolades he has earned to this point: 2009-10 Illinois Athletic Director Association (IADA) Division 3 Athletic Director of the Year Inducted into Immaculate Conception Athletic Hall of Fame on January 15, 2010; IADA President 2020-2021; IADA Division 3 Athletic Director of the Year, 2021-2022; Illinois Coaches Association, Illinois Athletic Director of the Year 2022-2023; and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Athletic Director of the Year 2023.

Darren has been married to his wife Joan for 38 years. Together they have 5 children and 7 grandchildren.