Coaching Staff

Carson Palmer

Head Coach

USC

Former NFL quarterback and 2002 Heisman winner Carson Palmer was named head coach at his alma mater, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, in December 2024. In his 2025 debut season, he led the Eagles to an 11-3 record, the Trinity League title, and a CIF State Open Division championship.

Lenny Vandermade

Offensive Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach

USC

A USC national champion (2003) and former NFL lineman (Ravens, Steelers), Coach Vandermade brings 20 years of coaching experience developing offensive linemen from high school through Power 4 programs and into the NFL. With 13 years at the college level and multiple NFL internships, he coaches what actually works on game day—proper technique, discipline, and the habits demanded at the next level.

Steve Fifita

Defensive Coordinator

University of Utah

A former All-Mountain West nose guard at Utah, Coach Fifita played professionally with the Miami Dolphins before moving into coaching. He spent six years as defensive line coach at Idaho State, developing five all-conference performers. At SM from 2020, he was the interim head coach in 2024, guiding the Eagles through the CIF-SS D1 playoffs before returning to lead the defense under Carson Palmer.

John Minardi

Special Teams Coordinator

Colorado Buffaloes

An SM Eagles legend and one of only six players with a retired jersey, Minardi helped lead Santa Margarita to an undefeated 14-0 season alongside Carson Palmer and was voted the top all-around player in school history. He earned a full scholarship to Colorado, where he was named team captain, won the Big 12 Special Teams Achievement Award, and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention. After signing with the Houston Texans and playing for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe, he returned home to coach the next generation of Eagles.

Mike Karney

Running Backs Coach

Arizona State University

A seven-year NFL veteran, Coach Karney was a fifth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints out of Arizona State, where he was a two-time All-Pac-10 fullback. He started 59 games across 101 NFL appearances with the Saints and Rams, earning AP Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2006 for his blocking. After retiring, he worked as a Fox Sports West analyst covering high school football before transitioning to coaching, bringing NFL-level technique and physicality to the Eagles backfield.

An 11-year NFL veteran and Pro Bowl receiver, Coach Houshmandzadeh was a seventh-round pick who became one of the most productive wideouts of his era—recording 627 catches for 7,237 yards and 45 touchdowns across stints with the Bengals, Seahawks, Ravens, and Raiders. He set the Bengals franchise record with 112 receptions in 2007 and formed one of the league's top duos alongside Chad Johnson. A former teammate of Carson Palmer in Cincinnati, he brings elite route-running knowledge and NFL pass-game expertise to the Eagles receiving corps.

James Hendren

Tight Ends Coach

Boston College

James Hendren is in his second season coaching tight ends at Santa Margarita and also serves as the JV Head Coach. A former offensive lineman at Boston College, Hendren played tackle for the Eagles at 6-7 and 300 pounds. He prepped at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts before his collegiate career. Hendren brings his big-program experience and attention to detail to developing SM Eagles tight ends.

Kelly Talavou

Defensive Line Coach

University of Utah

Kelly Talavou brings elite-level experience to SM Eagles defensive line coaching. A Fountain Valley High School product, Talavou played at Idaho before transferring to the University of Utah, where he earned First-Team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and went on to play for the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens. After his NFL career, Talavou coached the defensive line at Fountain Valley High School and Servite before joining the Eagles.

Rob Thomas

Linebackers Coach

UCLA

Robert Thomas is completing his first season coaching linebackers at Santa Margarita. A consensus First-Team All-American at UCLA, Thomas was the 2001 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and a Dick Butkus Award finalist before being selected 31st overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played seven NFL seasons with the Rams, Packers, and Raiders, recording 305 career tackles. Thomas has coached linebackers at Mater Dei, Mission Viejo, and UCLA, bringing elite-level experience and a championship pedigree to the Eagles defense.

Aire Justin

Defensive Backs Coach

Washington State

Aire Justin is finishing his first season coaching defensive backs at Santa Margarita. A Washington State cornerback, he went on to play professionally in the NFL, CFL, UFL, and Arena Football League. Football is in his blood — his father Tyrone played for the 49ers, and his uncles Sydney and Kerry played for the Rams and Seahawks. With over 10 years of coaching experience, Justin has trained NFL players and brings elite technique and defensive expertise to the Eagles secondary.

Ryan Crowe

Secondary Coach

Ryan Crowe brings a winning track record to the SM Eagles secondary. He coached six seasons at San Juan Hills High School, where he helped lead the team to a 2019 CIF Southern Section championship. Crowe guided the Santa Margarita freshman squad to a Trinity League title in 2024 before moving into his role coaching the varsity secondary. He also coaches baseball at Santa Margarita, bringing a multi-sport perspective to athlete development.

John Baggerly

Defensive Coach

Texas A&M-Commerce

John Baggerly brings 17 years of Trinity League coaching experience to the SM Eagles. He spent seven seasons as Defensive Coordinator at JSerra Catholic, where he helped produce the best defensive record in school history and a county-leading defense. A Trabuco Hills High School product, Baggerly earned all-league honors as a wide receiver and defensive back with two team MVP awards before playing linebacker at Texas A&M-Commerce. He also runs TopFlight 7-on-7 and 5-on-7, developing the next generation of Orange County talent year-round.

Kyle Kianpour

QB Coach

Vermont State

Kyle Kianpour brings seven years of coaching experience to the SM Eagles quarterback room. He served as Quarterback Coach and Director of Football Operations at Azusa Pacific University before joining Santa Margarita.

Chance King is in his second season as an assistant coach with the SM Eagles. Dedicated to developing young athletes on and off the field, King contributes to the program with energy and attention to detail across all phases of the game.

Gabe Higerd joins SM from JSerra Catholic, where he was Special Teams Coordinator and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. A former defensive back at Azusa Pacific, he is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Captain, paratrooper, and jumpmaster at Fort Bragg, earning a Bronze Star in Iraq. He holds a Doctorate in Sports Management and is CSCS-certified, blending military discipline with sports science to develop stronger, more explosive athletes for the Eagles.

Chad Sanders serves as Chief of Staff for SM Eagles Football, ensuring the program runs smoothly behind the scenes. From logistics and operations to player support and event coordination, Sanders is the organizational backbone that keeps everything on track.