Former NFL QB Carson Palmer named high school football coach at California alma mater

Palmer, the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, is coming back to Santa Margarita to be the head football coach.

Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer waves to the crowd after his Ring of Honor induction ceremony during halftime against the Seattle Seahawks September 29, 2019. / Michael Chow/The Republic, Arizona Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The pride of Santa Margarita is returning to his old stomping grounds.

Carson Palmer, who starred at Santa Margarita Catholic, has been named the school's next head football coach. He'll also get the chance to coach his son, Fletch Palmer, a quarterback that is currently a freshman in the program.

Santa Margarita competes in the Trinity League with the likes of national powers Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, along with Orange Lutheran, JSerra and Servite. It's regarded as the toughest high school football league in the country,

"Coach Palmer was entrusted with the program as a player and now is entrusted as the program’s head coach," Santa Margarita Vice President of athletics Jim Hartigan said. "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.”

Palmer starred at Santa Margarita where he led the Eagles to back-to-back CIF titles and earned All-American, All-State, All-Southern Section, and All-CIF State honors before graduating in 1998, according to EaglesFootball.com. He went on to play at USC where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2002 before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Cincinatti Bengals.

Carson Palmer (3) on the cover of the Santa Margarita football media guide for the 1997 season. / Santa Margarita Football/EaglesFootball.com

Palmer was inducted into the NCAA Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and finished his NFL career with 46,247 yards passing and 294 touchdowns after stints with the Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. He was named to the Pro Bowl three times (2005, 2006, 2015).

Palmer takes over for former head coach Anthony Rouzier, who was placed on administrative leave midseason (October 1). Steve Fifita, the defensive coordinator, was named the interim head coach to finish the 2024 season. The Eagles finished strong under Fifita by beating Servite in the regular-season finale and beating Inglewood 59-26 in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs before falling to St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals, 31-29.

Rouzier, a Northeastern native, was in his fifth season at Santa Margarita with an overall record of 23-21 in his tenure (including this season). He made four playoff appearances and went 5-6 in 2023.

On October 30, a report from the Orange County Register revealed football players were allegedly sexually assaulted by teammates.

POTENTIAL TOP RETURNERS FOR EAGLES

It's impossible to tell if any of the following players will be back at Santa Margarita next season due to the transfer-happy era of high school and college athletics, but Palmer could have a good foundation returning if some players decide not to transfer ...

Starting with star wideout Trent Mosely, who is regarded as one of the best pass catchers in the country. He was the Trinity League MVP as a sophomore and just finished his junior campaign with 908 yards on 61 receptions and eight touchdowns in eight games (missed some games due to injury).

The team's leading rusher, Jaion Smith, will be a sophomore next fall. Wideout Jonah Smith will return for his senior season in 2025. And the team's top three tacklers in Dash Fifita (100), Logan Hirou (80) and Leki Holani (72). Holani also led the team in sacks (6.0).

BONUS MATERIAL

WATCH: Carson Palmer vs. DeShaun Foster in 1997 CIF Final

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