Football

Coach Hargrave

 

New Head Coach Carl Hargrave brings a bevy of experience to a program one year removed from a Valley of the Sun Bowl Title.

Hargrave's 11 years of NFL coaching expertise and 15 more years coaching at the college level, have Thunderbird nation excited about a return to glory.

Hargrave began his coaching career at Waterloo, Iowa in 1979 as an Assistant Coach at Central High School.

From 1981-1985, Hargrave coached alongside Dennis Green at the University of Northwestern. He coached the offensive line, running backs, and tight ends.

After spending 1986 at the University of Pittsburgh as an offensive line coach, Coach Jack Pardee called and brought Hargrave on board at the University of Houston. In five years at Houston, Hargrave coached Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Andre Ware.

Hargrave's next stop was a homecoming of sorts. The University of Iowa and Head Coach Hayden Frye hired Hargrave to coach the tight ends (1992-1993). Hargrave is originally from Iowa City.

Perhaps his most decorated tenure occurred with the Minnesota Vikings under Head Coach Dennis Green from 1994-2001. Hargrave coached running backs and tight ends for one of the league's most feared offenses. The 1998 Vikings set a league record, scoring 556 points on the season, a 35-points-per-game average. That record stood until 2007 when the New England Patriots scored 589.

Hargrave was the Defensive Coordinator at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. He spent two seasons (2002-2003) with the Lions. The Lindenwood defense went from last to first in the Heart of America Athletic Conference on Coach Hargrave's watch.

Dennis Green came calling again after accepting the Head Coaching job in Arizona with the Cardinals. Hargrave was Green's first choice for Tight Ends Coach. Hargrave also served as an offensive consultant for three seasons with the Cardinals (2004-2006).

Most recently, Hargrave has spent time as an assistant at South Mountain High School as he and his family are settling into the valley and desert life.

Hargrave has been married to Suzanne for 16 years and the couple enjoys two beautiful daughters, Alaysha, and Autumn.

Hargrave expects to win a National Championships at Mesa and he has the connections to accomplish his goals. As he assembles his staff, a long-time coaching associate and friend, Richard Solomon, will be Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.

carl.hargrave@mcmail.maricopa.edu
480-461-7629

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Football 2009

MCC Football Team Picture and Outlook

Mesa Thunderbird Football is two seasons removed from a Valley of the Sun Bowl Championship and spirits are high for a return trip to the VOS or beyond.  The new coaching staff has an NFL-feel as Head Coach Carl Hargrave brings his West Coast Offense and multiple spread packages to the Thunderbirds after spending 11 seasons in the NFL and 15 more at the college level.  Coach Hargrave’s most recent stint was right here in the Valley under Dennis Green with the Arizona Cardinals.  He His assistant Head Coach Richard Solomon coached for the New York Giants during their Super Bowl Championship year of 1986.  He also spent time with Hargrave in the Minnesota Vikings organization. 

Over the past four seasons, Mesa has gone up and down in the ACCAC standings compiling a 20-19 overall record.  Coach Hargrave will look to add to the win column but will have to do so without star wideout Terrance Moore, who left to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers on an athletic scholarship.  Moore’s shoes need to be filled and the opportunity will be there for a multitude of receivers.  Acquiring a talented group of professional coaches to run the program has assisted in the recruiting process as players around the nation are clamoring to play for Coach Hargrave. 

“We’re going to have a very strong group of guys at the receiving core this fall.  They will each have a vital role in our offensive schemes,” says Hargrave. 

Hargrave knows his defense will be counted on as well if the Thunderbirds hope to return to prominence. 

Mesa has hung two National Championship banners under Hall of Fame Coach Paul Widmer back in the 1970’s (’73 & ’75).  Thunderbird Nation looks to a bright future as Mesa is buzzing about the upcoming football season that kicks off at home at John D. Riggs Stadium against Scottsdale on Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Mesa Community College
Maricopa County Community College District