X

NFL Legend Carson Palmer Named HC of High School Alma Mater Football Team

Andrew PetersDecember 14, 2024

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer looks on during a game between the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans on November 5, 2022, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Carson Palmer is back in the football world.

The 14-year NFL veteran is taking over as head football coach at his alma mater, Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Orange County, California. The school officially hired him on Friday, per ESPN.

"Santa Margarita Football is excited to announce the hiring of former Eagle and Heisman Trophy winner, Carson Palmer as our new head football coach," the school said in a statement on social media, per ESPN. "As head coach, Palmer aims to build a program that emphasizes not only athletic performance but also academic success and character development. His vision includes creating a culture of hard work, discipline, and perseverance that prepares student-athletes for both their athletic and academic futures."

SM Eagles Football @SMCHS_Football

Santa Margarita Football is excited to announce the hiring of former Eagle and Heisman Trophy winner, Carson Palmer as our new head football coach.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoEagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoEagles</a>🦅 <a href="https://t.co/bMrXbx245j">pic.twitter.com/bMrXbx245j</a>

Per The Orange County Register's Steve Fryer, Palmer was a volunteer assistant coach for Santa Margarita's freshman football team this season. His son Fletcher is a freshman quarterback for Santa Margarita.

Palmer was a standout for Santa Margarita before winning the Heisman Trophy at USC and proceeding to have a fruitful career in the NFL.

His first game as head coach will be against Mission Viejo, whose quarterbacks coach is former USC and NFL quarterback Rob Johnson, according to Eric Sondheimer of The Los Angeles Times.