Santa Margarita Catholic High School is excited to announce the hiring of former Eagle and Heisman Trophy winner, Carson Palmer as their new head football coach.
Coach Palmer’s experience at both the collegiate and professional levels will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of the football program. 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.
Vice President of Athletics Jim Hartigan looks forward to seeing his former quarterback take over the program. "Coach Palmer was entrusted with the program as a player and now is entrusted as the program’s head coach. We are in good hands. I’m excited to see Carson lead our team. He is a player-centric leader who will surround himself with coaches with his same desire to continue the success of Eagle football.”
Carson Palmer, a graduate of Santa Margarita Catholic High School from the class of 1998, quarterbacked back-to-back championship seasons at Santa Margarita, earning All-American honors and a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), where he led the Trojans to an Orange Bowl victory in his senior year and won the coveted Heisman Trophy as the nation's best player. Following his illustrious college career, Palmer became a two-time Pro Bowl selection and enjoyed a storied 15-season NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals, demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication to his teams—qualities that will resonate well with the student-athletes at Santa Margarita.
Please join us in welcoming home Carson Palmer to the Santa Margarita Catholic High School community. We look forward to an exciting season ahead under his leadership.
High School Achievements:
- Graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Class of 1998.
- Quarterbacked the Eagles to back-to-back CIF championship seasons.
- Earned All-American honors.
College Achievements (University of Southern California):
- Led the USC Trojans to an Orange Bowl victory in his senior year (2002).
- Won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2002 as the nation's best college football player.
- Named a consensus All-American in 2002.
- Finished his collegiate career with impressive passing statistics and accolades.
Professional Football Career:
- Drafted as the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Played 15 seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals.
- Selected to the Pro Bowl twice (2005, 2006).
- Led the NFL in passing yards in 2015.
- Achieved numerous franchise records with the Cincinnati Bengals, including career passing yards and touchdowns.
- Played a key role in leading the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2015, including an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Post-Football Contributions:
- Actively involved in charitable initiatives and community service.
- Mentor and advocate for youth sports and development programs.