Goodyear Desert Edge High School co-head football coach Mark Carter, who along with his twin brother Marcus was named The Arizona Republic Coaches of the Year last season, has been suspended, the Agua Fria Union High School District said Wednesday.
Inquiries were sent to Megan Griego, the Agua Fria Union High School District spokesperson, who said that Marcus Carter will remain as the head coach of the program.
“There will be a change in the Desert Edge High School football program,” Griego wrote in an email. “Immediate steps are being taken to ensure the football program continues to operate smoothly and successfully.
“Coach Marcus Carter will continue to lead the Desert Edge football program for the upcoming 2024/2025 season and continue teaching. As Head Coach, he will maintain the team’s values, strategies and goals to guide our student athletes to excel both on and off the field.
“For the 2024/25 season, Mark Carter will not serve as Head Coach nor be involved in football related activities, however, he will continue to be part of the Desert Edge Community as a teacher and Head Track Coach.”
Neither Marcus nor Mark responded to messages from The Republic.
Griego did not say why Mark Carter is being suspended next season.
Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Director David Hines told The Republic that the AIA was notified of a violation from Desert Edge, regarding a social media post.
“I have not seen the actual report yet,” Hines said in a text message Wednesday evening.
The Carter twins led Desert Edge to the 5A state championship game, where the Scorpions fell to Gilbert Higley 42-41 in December.
The Carters were hired four years ago as co-head coaches to lead the program, leaving Phoenix South Mountain, after guiding the Jaguars to a 7-3 season.
Desert Edge reached the Open state playoffs in their first year there in 2020.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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2024-04-11 00:42:12
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