Coach Ray Harding
Quarterback & Football Coach
Ray Harding’s athletic and professional journey spans from international beginnings to decades of leadership in Carthage athletics.
Harding graduated from Tehran American School in Tehran, Iran, in 1968 before beginning his collegiate football career at East Texas State University, where he redshirted his freshman year. In 1969, he transferred to Cowley County Community Junior College in Arkansas City, Kansas, playing quarterback, and in 1970 he moved on to Missouri Southern State College (MSSC).
Harding was the quarterback for the Lions from 1970–72, first under Coach Rube Berry and later under Coach Jim Frazier. He helped lead MSSC to an undefeated 12-0 season and the NAIA Division II National Championship in 1972. At the time of his Hall of Fame induction, Harding ranked eighth all-time in total offense and seventh all-time in passing yards at MSSU with 3,754 yards. He accounted for 40 career touchdowns, cementing his place among the program’s top quarterbacks.
In October 1972, Harding received his draft notice from the U.S. Army, but instead joined the Missouri Army National Guard, where he served with distinction for 37 years before retiring at the rank of Command Sgt Major. He graduated from MSSC in December 1972 with a degree in social studies and education.
Harding immediately transitioned into teaching and coaching. From 1973–74 he coached wide receivers at MSSC while teaching in Joplin. He then taught and coached at Neosho Junior High School (1975) and Mulvane, Kansas High School (1976–78), serving as head football coach in 1978.
In 1979, Harding came to Carthage High School, where he would leave his most lasting mark. For 15 years (1979–94) he served as head football coach, while also teaching social studies and driver education. From 1983–2004, he guided the program as athletic director, helping build Carthage athletics into a strong and respected department. In recognition of his impact as a player and leader, Harding was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.
After retiring from public education in 2004, Harding continued serving his country. He worked as a contractor for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Non-Lethal Weapons School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from 2004–2014, and was deployed to Iraq in 2007–08 with the 35th Engineer Brigade, Missouri Army National Guard.
Ray Harding and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 53 years. They are the proud parents of Matthew and Stacey.
