Hart High Names Carson to Head Football Program

Burbank High Coach Dave Carson has been selected to replace Rick Scott as the Hart football coach, the school announced Monday.

Carson, who has coached at Burbank for five years, was chosen over Mike Herrington, a Hart assistant coach, and Robert Schmitz, the offensive coordinator at Saddleback College. Carson’s successor at Burbank has not been named.

Scott resigned at Hart last month to become coach of Buena in Ventura. Scott led Hart of Newhall to four consecutive Foothill League titles and won the Southern Section Northwestern Conference championship in 1986. Scott’s teams were undefeated in 20 league games, beating Carson’s Burbank teams four times.

Carson’s on-the-field record in five years is 25-27, but last year’s 6-4 mark was lowered to 0-10 when the team was forced to forfeit its wins for using an ineligible player. The 39-year-old coach played at San Francisco State and started his coaching career as an assistant there in 1974. He also assisted at Long Beach State and Cal State Northridge and was the defensive coordinator for one season at Crespi High in Encino.

Hart Principal Laurence Strauss cited Carson’s head coaching experience at the high school level as a significant factor. Neither of the other two candidates has head coaching experience.

“He brings leadership, organizational skills and a fine football mind to the job,” Strauss said. “We also understand he’s a great motivator.”

Carson, who told his Burbank players of the decision Monday, said he will meet with the Hart team Wednesday. He takes over as coach next week with the start of spring practice. Carson cited the selection of a staff as his top priority, saying he would like to retain Herrington and his two brothers, Rick and Dean, who also coach in the Hart program. Rick and Dean coached the Hart sophomore team to a 40-0 mark over the past four seasons.

Mike Herrington, who has coached at Hart for eight years, also was a finalist for the Alemany job, losing out to Montclair Prep’s Pat Blackburn. He also coaches the Hart track team.

“Right now all I’m thinking about is track,” he said. “My future is undecided. I have no other comment.”

Asked whether he plans to participate in spring practice, Herrington said, “That’s still a week away.”

Said Carson: “I know that the Herringtons are probably angry today and may not want to stay with the program. They’ve had a lot of success there and have done a great job with the program. I want to keep as many staff guys there as possible.”