Centre College Athletics

Carlson was named Centre College's first Head Strength and Conditioning Coach in the summer of 2017, assuming the new role after serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the men's soccer program during the 2016 season. After a short stint outside of college athletics, Carlson returned to Danville in the spring semester of 2023 back as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sport Performance.

As Assistant AD for Sport Performance, Carlson primarily designs, implements and supervises sport-specific strength and conditioning programs for all Centre student-athletes. He works with each sport coach as well as with the athletic training staff to provide the best quality programming for each student-athlete and each sport program.

His impact on the Colonels has been immediate, as seen in Sarah Hayhurst's NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-American selection in 2017-18. 

Carlson is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He was responsible for the strength and conditioning schedule for the men's soccer team during the 2016-17 year.

Prior to joining the Centre coaching staff, Carlson oversaw the direction of the Mercer County athletic department's Strength and Conditioning program. He joined the Titans in 2021, overseeing the high school's weightlifting classes and working closely with the training of all of Mercer's sports. He also served as the boys' soccer coach, helping lead the team to a 46th District Championship appearance and an 11-8 record in the 2022 season. 

A former standout for the Centre men's soccer team, Carlson was named the SAA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2014, anchoring a back line that paced the SAA in goals against average in 2013 and '14. He was a two-time All-Great Lakes Region honoree and a four-time All-SAA selection, garnering First Team honors for three consecutive seasons from 2012-14.

In addition, he was named the Centre Male Athlete of the Year as a senior and a NSCAA Academic All-American.

Carlson is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention from California University of Pennsylvania.