JAMIE CARTER HIRED AS NEXT CAMDEN FAIRVIEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Camden, Ark. (February 17, 2026) - The Camden Fairview School Board hired Jamie Carter as the next Camden Fairview Cardinal head football coach and assistant athletic director at tonight's regular board meeting. Coach Carter comes to Camden Fairview from Marion, where he was most recently the associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator. He previously served as the head coach and assistant athletic director at Osceola for four years, posting a 18-5 conference record. He has 17 years of coaching experience, including 2 seasons as Marion’s defensive coordinator.

Coach Carter said, "I am truly honored and grateful to be named the Head Football Coach at Camden Fairview High School. This is more than just a position; it’s an opportunity to serve young men, build meaningful relationships, and represent a proud community the right way. I have been truly blessed with the opportunity to lead men and young men. This role gives me the chance to carry out my vision of building a football program the right way: grounded in discipline, accountability, trust, and respect. It also allows me to share the values and principles that were instilled in me by my parents. The lessons I learned growing up about hard work, character, integrity, and treating people the right way  are the same standards I will expect from our young men. I believe leadership is about modeling what you ask of others. I will never ask these young men to do something that I am not willing to demonstrate myself.”

The search for the next Camden Fairview head football coach has been underway since January 9 when Coach Nick Vaughn shared that he was resigning to take the head coaching job at Maumelle. The head coach interview committee consisted of Assistant Athletic Director Johnny Jackson, Assistant Superintendent Andre Toney, Assistant Superintendent Cara Bowie, Human Resources Director Fred Lilly II, and Cardinal football booster club president Jamie Semple. The committee conducted interviews last week. Mrs. Armstrong then met with Coach Carter and made a recommendation to the Camden Fairview School Board at tonight's meeting.

Mrs. Armstrong said, "Our community has always shown strong support for our students and for Cardinal athletics, and I’m grateful for the committee members who gave their time and thoughtful input throughout this process. I’m confident that Coach Carter is the right leader to continue building on our proud tradition of Cardinal Football, developing our student-athletes, and moving our program forward with integrity and purpose.”

Coach Carter will meet with Cardinal football players on Monday, February 23. The district will host a community meet and greet on Thursday, March 19. More details will be shared soon.