Former Newbury Park High and University of Utah quarterback Cam Rising has returned to his alma mater as the offensive coordinator of the varsity football team.
The hire was officially announced on social media Wednesday afternoon, but Rising was seen coaching the offense and four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel at Sierra Canyon’s college showcase on Tuesday.
“Cam is one of the reasons I wore No. 7,” said Smigiel, who recently committed to Michigan. “I look up to him so much and to be able to have him, I’m just so blessed.”
@haleymsawyer Four-star Newbury Park quarterback and Michigan commit Brady Smigiel hit Vincent Carner with a long pass in 7-on-7 at the Sierra Canyon college showcase on Tuesday. #highschoolsports #sportsreporter #reporter #sports #quarterback #football #CollegeFootball #ncaafootball #highschoolfootball #michiganfootball #newburypark
Smigiel said that he was Rising’s ball boy growing up and that the two would often train together as he got older.
Rising also announced Wednesday in a social media post on X that he is medically retiring from football after seven years of college football due to a hand injury sustained in the 2024 season. He was advised by two orthopedic surgeons that he will not be able to return to football.
“I’ll be obtaining a third medical opinion and will undergo the recommended surgery,” Rising wrote. “I will continue to rehab and do all I can to get healthy. In the meantime, I will unfortunately be forced to medically retire from the game I love.”
The quarterback ranks fourth in Utah program history in passing touchdowns (53) and total touchdowns (65) and has 17 career games with over 200 passing yards.
Smigiel said he’s already learned a lot from Rising.
“I could obviously talk about the football side of it, but I think it’s more about just being a man and being able to how to handle adversity,” he said.
Newbury Park football went 14-1 overall and became the undefeated Conejo Coast League champions before winning the CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship.
