Former USC, NFL standout Carson Palmer hired as football coach at Santa Margarita

Carson Palmer, pictured in 2003, passes against Oregon State. Palmer was honored before USC’s game Saturday against Utah. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Heisman winner Carson Palmer laughs during a press conference celebrating his Heisman win at the Yale Club in New York Saturday December 14, 2002. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/SCNG, file)

The Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer, now retired, throws under pressure from the Los Angeles Rams defense during the Rams’ 44-6 loss to the Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, January 1, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) waves to the fans as he jogs off the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. Palmer was the last USC player chosen No. 1 in the NFL draft, in 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Carson Palmer acknowledges the crowd as he is honored before the start of of a Trinity League football game against Mater Dei in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 21, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Carson Palmer, center, greets some of his old high school teammates before the start of a Trinity League football game against Mater Dei in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 21, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Carson Palmer, right, shakes hands with Santa Margarita head football coach Anthony Rouzier, left, before the start of a Trinity League football game against Mater Dei in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 21, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

USC’s Carson Palmer high-fives fans after USC’s 52-21 rout of UCLA Saturday November 23, 2002. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Carson Palmer celebrates TD that put the trojans up 31-10 in the Fed Ex Orange Bowl He was game MVP in 2002. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Carson Palmer celebrates with the game’s MVP trophy during the Fed Ex Orange Bowl in 2002. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer poses for a photo with his family after the Rams’ 44-6 loss to the Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, January 1, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Heisman candidates Ken Dorsey, left, and Carson Palmer chat while signing promotional materials before the start of the Heisman Awards ceremony at the Yale Club in Manhattan Saturday December 14, 2002. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

USC’s Carson Palmer on the sidelines during USC’s 52-21 rout of UCLA Saturday November 23, 2002. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Carson Palmer, pictured in 2003, passes against Oregon State. Palmer was honored before USC’s game Saturday against Utah. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Carson Palmer created some championship memories when he was the quarterback at Santa Margarita High School.

He will try to create more as the head coach of the school’s football team.

Palmer has been hired to lead the program at Santa Margarita, where he was an All-Orange County player the 1996 and ‘97 seasons and led the Eagles to back-to-back CIF Southern Section titles. He went on to USC where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2002.

Palmer replaces Anthony Rouzier, who was placed on administrative leave in October following allegations of student misbehavior in a school locker room.

Santa Margarita, a coed Catholic high school in Rancho Santa Margarita, made the announcement Thursday.

Palmer, who turns 45 later this month, was selected No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played for 14 seasons overall, finishing his career with Arizona in 2017.

He was a voluntary assistant coach for Santa Margarita’s freshman football team this season. Palmer’s son Fletcher is a freshman quarterback in the Santa Margarita program.

Santa Margarita president Andy Sulick said of Palmer: “His football pedigree is unmatched. As an alum he understands the culture.”

Palmer was among three final candidates interviewed last week for the head coaching position.

“Carson felt he was called to this job,” Sulick said. “And as much success as Carson has had as a football player he’s also a great husband, father and man.”

Palmer’s head coach at Santa Margarita was Jim Hartigan, who now is Santa Margarita’s vice principal in charge of athletics.

Rouzier coached the Eagles for five seasons.

Sulick released this statement on Rouzier: “Earlier this year, Coach Rouzier reported an incident to the administration that involved allegations of student misconduct in the locker room, and he was then placed on a leave of absence related to the incident. There has been confusion in the community that has led to some unintended misperceptions. His leave had nothing to do with any concerns by us that Coach Rouzier personally posed a threat to any of his players’ safety and wellbeing.

“Coach Rouzier worked to create an environment and culture of safety, respect, mentorship, and inclusivity in our football program. We thank Coach Rouzier for his contributions to the school and community.

“After five seasons as the head coach of the Santa Margarita Catholic High School football team, we and Coach Rouzier have parted ways as we both pursue new opportunities. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Defensive coordinator Steve Fifita was promoted to head coach when Rouzier was placed on administrative leave. Santa Margarita finished the season 5-7 overall and 1-4 in the Trinity League.

The Eagles were 23-21 with Rouzier as the head coach, including 3-2 before he was placed on leave. They went 2-5 under Fifita.

The Eagles had some close Trinity League losses under Fifita, including 13-10 to Orange Lutheran and 35-33 to JSerra. They concluded the regular season with a 44-8 league win over Servite.

Santa Margarita beat Inglewood 59-26 in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs before losing to Trinity League rival St. John Bosco 31-29 in the quarterfinals (Bosco beat the Eagles 13-0 in a league game).

Palmer set 27 school records in his two seasons (1996 and ‘97) as Santa Margarita quarterback and was All-Orange County first team both seasons.

He led Santa Margarita to a 55-42 win over Tustin in the 1997 CIF Southern Section Division V championship game, one of the more memorable games in Orange County football history, at Cal State Fullerton. Palmer threw for 413 yards and five touchdowns. Tustin running back DeShaun Foster, now the coach at UCLA, rushed for 377 yards and six touchdowns on 33 carries.

It was Santa Margarita’s second straight CIF football championship. The Eagles shut out Newport Harbor 38-0 in the Division V final in ‘96.

Palmer was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.