ODU Hires Dale Carlson as Head Football Coach

June 17 , 2003

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Dominican University is another step closer to launching an intercollegiate football program, with the hiring of Dale Carlson as head football coach.

With more than 20 years’ experience coaching at the college level, Carlson brings much to Ohio Dominican in terms of coaching and recruiting. He comes to ODU from Tri-State University in Angola, Ind., where he was head football coach and assistant professor of health, physical education and sport science. He joined Tri-State in 1994 and organized, directed and managed the university’s football program from its inception. Like Tri-State, Ohio Dominican will play in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA), an affiliate of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

In addition to serving as head coach for nine years at Tri-State, Carlson held head coaching positions at Taylor University in Upland, Ind. and Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis. He was an offensive line coach and physical education instructor at both Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., and Franklin College in Franklin, Ind.; and offensive line coach and recruiter for Elmhurst (Pa.) College. Prior to that time, he coached football at several high schools in the Greater Chicago area.

“ We are extremely fortunate to have Dale aboard to shape our football program,” said ODU President Jack Calareso. “We had almost 100 candidates and interviewed many exceptional people. Dale’s experience starting a program at a school like ours and doing it successfully – both on and off the field – was a deciding factor in our decision. His wealth of coaching experience, solid recruiting skills and active involvement with the NAIA will serve ODU well, as we prepare for our first season of play in Fall 2004.”

Carlson holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., and a master’s degree in education and physical education from Chicago State University. He served as president of the NAIA Football Coaches Association in 2001-2002 and is a member of the American Football Coaches Association. He currently serves on the NAIA and AFCS Division II All-America Selection Committee.