Coach Carlson began his coaching career at The Bishops School in La Jolla, CA, while attending college in 1995. In 1999, he moved to Fairfield, CA, where he became the head coach at Fairfield High School, leading the team to three league championships until 2003. During this time, he also co-directed the Suisun Bay Water Polo Club. From 2001 to 2005, Coach Carlson was the head coach of the Junior and Cadet Central California Zone teams, playing a crucial role in developing many of US Water Polo’s top athletes.

In 2005, he relocated to San Jose, CA, and began coaching the Pacific Zone teams, where he helped the Junior team win a National Championship while serving as an assistant coach at the National Age Group Championships. From 2006 to 2013, he served as the Pacific Zone 12th Grade Under Coach and was honored as USAWP ODP Coach of the Year in 2013. Additionally, he was appointed Regional Technical Director for USA Water Polo Olympic Development Programs and is currently the head coach at Valley Christian High School in San Jose. He also served as the USA Water Polo Development National Team Assistant Coach from 2012 to 2014 and resumed this role at the beginning of 2023.

During the summer of 2012, Coach Carlson was the assistant coach for the USA Junior National Team, which won a silver medal at the UANA Championships in Montreal. His passion for developing water polo in the South Bay has driven his commitment to creating a competitive youth polo program through the Silicon Valley Outlaws Water Polo Club. Coach Carlson’s extensive experience, dedication to athlete development, and numerous achievements have made a significant impact on the water polo community, inspiring young athletes to reach their full potential.