A 1991 graduate of Wapsie Valley High School, Darin was a four-sport letter winner. As a golfer, he finished 3rd in the state tournament in both his junior and senior years, while helping his team to 3rd place finishes in those years.

Darin graduated from Coe College in 1995. While there, he played basketball and golf at Coe all four years, finishing in the top two of the conference golf tournament in each of the four years, winning it his junior campaign. He was coached by Bill Fletcher, who currently works as a rules committee member for many IGA and national events. Darin currently lives in Fairfax with his wife, Anna and their daughter, Nadia.