Football:
As a sportswriter since the year 2000, and having covered athletes/programs in the SGV, IE, OC and Long Beach areas, I have met a number of quality football coaches.
Many of them have become friends.
However, being a good football coach doesn’t always mean they’re great men.
And it certainly doesn’t mean they sacrifice their personal time to get their student-athletes the most and best possible publicity through the media.
Rio Hondo Prep’s Mark Carson is both a great football coach, and an even better man.
Carson is married to Claudia Carson, and they have four daughters named Paige, Camille, Hope and Elle.
They range in ages between 8-14.
And despite that, Mark still answers text messages at 1 am on football Friday’s if he’s awake, and we in the media need information about the program or its athletes.
Carson has been at RHP since 1999 as an assistant coach, and he’s led the Kares football program since 2018.
Over that stretch, Rio Hondo Prep is 39-9 overall.
On Friday, the United States Marine Corps from the Pasadena region recruiting office honored Carson for his devotion to his student-athletes, the school, and the life lessons he shares daily with the young people at RHP.
They said: “In recognition of a coach who lives out the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fi, always faithful and who model Marine Corps leadership values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Just below is the presentation video, and then a congratulatory video from RHP and USMC alum, Bill Lee.
Congrats, Coach Carson.
RHP Football Records Under Mark Carson:
2018: 7-4 overall, 2-1 in league
2019: 10-1, 3-0
2020: 3-0, 0-0
2021: 10-2, 2-1
2022: 8-2, 2-1
2023: 1-0, 0-0
Totals: 39-9 overall, 9-3 in league
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