Maurice Carthon

Maurice Carthon (born April 24, 1961) is an American former football player and coach. Carthon was a fullback in the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL) for a total of 11 seasons. After his playing career ended, he became a coach, and served as the offensive coordinator for three NFL teams.

Carthon attended Osceola High School in Osceola, Arkansas and was a letterman in football and basketball. In football, he was a two-time All-Conference honoree where he played tight end. In basketball, he was named the state's Most Valuable Player as a senior.

Carthon attended Arkansas State University and was a star in football. In football, he was a two-time All-Southland Conference selection, and as a senior, he was the team's captain and led the team in rushing yards. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Carthon started his pro football career with the USFL's New Jersey Generals. Over his three years with the Generals, he rushed for 2102 yards including 1042 in 1984. That same year his backfield mate, Herschel Walker rushed for 1339 yards. This was the third time in professional football that teammates had rushed for over 1000 yards each in the same season. (Csonka/Morris – 1972 and Harris/Blier – 1976). Subsequently, it was also achieved by Mack/Byner – 1985; Dun/Vick – 2006; Jacobs/Ward – 2008 and Stewart/Williams – 2009. In 1985, Carthon played a final season with the Generals, then went almost immediately to New York Giants training camp. From February to June, his USFL career consisted of 3 preseason games, 18 regular season games, and a final playoff on June 30, 1985. After reporting to the Giants in July, he played an additional 5 preseason games, 16 regular season games, and two playoff rounds, for a total of 45 contests in less than a year.

Carthon wore the number 44 in his career as a fullback with the New York Giants. He was considered a bruising back with superb blocking skills. Carthon was a very durable player, missing only one game out of 76 when he was with the Giants.

Carthon won two championship rings with the Giants in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV. His best season was in 1986, when he finished as the team's second leading rusher with 260 yards, while also helping diminutive halfback Joe Morris rush for a then-franchise record 1,516 yards.

Carthon retired after the 1992 season with 950 career rushing yards, 90 receptions for 745 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

Maurice Carthon resigned as Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator on October 24, 2006 after Cleveland managed only seven points against the Denver Broncos. Under Carthon, the Browns had managed a league-low 232 points in 2005 and had only scored 88 points through six games in 2006. Carthon was the third NFL offensive coordinator to be fired during the 2006 season.

In early 2008, reports surfaced about a potential reuniting of Carthon and old coach Bill Parcells in Miami. Carthon would not be a candidate for the Miami Dolphins head coaching vacancy, but rather a candidate for offensive coordinator.

Carthon been known as a "Parcells Guy", following his former coach from coaching place to place. He has coached under Parcells for the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and, most recently, the Dallas Cowboys.

On Feb 19, 2009 the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the club has added Carthon to head coach Todd Haley’s coaching staff. Carthon will serve as assistant head coach.

Maurice is the father of former Indianapolis Colts running back Ran Carthon.