Carson Palmer returned to his alma mater, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, as a first-year head coach after a long NFL career and Heisman honor. The staff includes assistants with professional experience, but administrative and technological hurdles have complicated implementation of pro-style systems. Palmer values teaching fundamentals and enjoys helping players learn from mistakes, finding deeper satisfaction than in the NFL. Santa Margarita enters a competitive Trinity League schedule ranked No. 7 in the Southland and opens against No. 6 Mission Viejo. The roster includes standout wideouts Trent and Grant Mosely. Palmer emphasizes player-centered programs and passing on learned knowledge.
"This is harder than I thought," said Palmer, 45, sitting in his office above the practice field. "Year One is tough. The NFL is fast and responsive. Here, changing the playbook software takes an act of Congress. But I'm learning every day."
"I enjoy seeing a kid make a mistake, then understand the why and fix it," he said. "You don't get that in the NFL. There, it's just a job. Here, there's joy in learning."
"It's not about the coach," Palmer said. "Programs where the coach is the focal point don't work. It's about the players 100% of the time. I can help them because I was taught by great minds, but I'm just passing it on."
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