CARL HARGRAVE - Head Coach

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

Hargrave will also utilize Ron Daugherty as Receivers Coach and Assistant Strength Coach. Additionally, Denver Latimore will remain on staff and perform Assistant Defensive Line coaching duties. Also retained is Tony McClain. McClain will be the Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.

 

RICHARD SOLOMON - Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator

Coach Solomon and Coach Hargrave are lifelong friends, and a top-notch team of recruiters.

Coach Solomon began his coaching career in DuBuque, Iowa in 1972.

From 1973-74, Solomon coached the defensive backs at Southern Illinois.

"I'm a lifer," says Solomon.

After Southern Illinois, duty called at the Univelrsity of Iowa, where he spent three years coaching tight ends and wide receivers.

Most notable, perhaps, was Art Monk at Syracuse.

The University of Illinois enjoyed the coaching prowess of Solomon for six years as Defensive Backs Coach and Defensive Coordinator.

Shortly after that, the New York Football Giants came calling. As a scout, Coach Solomon enjoyed a Super Bowl Championship in 1986.

The Minnesota Vikings caught on to Coach Solomon's style and requested his services for the next 10 seasons. He was the Outside Linebackers Coach, and Defensive Backs Coach during his Vikings tenure.

After one season as Western Illinois' Defensive Backs Coach, the Arizona Cardinals called and asked Solomon to coach defensive backs.

Now Mesa Community College gets to utilize the talents of a truly remarkable mentor.

Coach Solomon is married to Shandrea, who is a Professor at Phoenix Law School.

Coach Solomon has two daughters and a son. Alesia lives in Michigan, Brandon in Atlanta, and Ryann in Minnesota. Brandon has given Coach Solomon three grandchildren.

 

DENVER LATIMORE - Assistant Defensive Line & Strength Coach

 

RON DAUGHERTY - Receivers & Assistant Strength Coach

 

TONY MCCLAIN- Assistant Offensive Line Coach & Recruiting Coordinator

 

OMAR ABDUL-RAHIM - Defensive Backs Coach

 

SCOTT PLAYER - Special Teams Coach

 

JAMES LOTT - Defensive Backs Coach

 

JEROME DANIELS - Offensive Line Coach

 

Bob Klassen- Trainer

Mike Lavella- Equipment Manager

 

 

Contact Coach Hargrave at 480.461.7629