Updated: March 20, 2025
After being named head coach for the second time in July 2021, Carlston is the first coach in Ohio volleyball history to reach the 200 career win milestone. Carlston previously served as head coach for five seasons from 2003-07.
In 2024, the Bobcats finished with a 14-15 overall and 10-8 conference record. Carlston guided Kharchynska and Hunt as they maintained spots in the top five of several MAC rankings throughout the season. Kharchynska and Hunt both earned All-MAC honors for the second and third time in their career.
During the 2023 season, Carlston led Ohio to a MAC Tournament berth, 18-13 overall and 13-5 conference record. Under Carlston, O’Farrell, Kharchynska earned All-MAC honors and Kam Hunt was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team. O’Farrell was also selected as an AVCA Northeast All-Region Honorable Mention.
In 2022, Ohio achieved a 20-12 overall and 13-5 conference record under Carlston. The Bobcats made an appearance in the MAC Quarterfinals and advanced to the second round of the NIVC. Carlston coached Clippard and Caitlin O’Farrell as they both earned All-MAC First Team Honors in addition to Anna Kharchynska who was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.
During the 2021 season, Carlston coached the Bobcats to a 12-19 overall and 11-7 conference record along with an appearance in the MAC Quarterfinals. This season, Caroline Clippard was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team and earned All-MAC honors along with Maggie Nedoma and Sam Steele.
In 2007, Carlston led Ohio to a MAC Regular Season Title and NCAA Tournament First Round appearance. The Bobcats finished with a 26-6 overall and 15-1 conference record. Under Carlston, Griffin was named the MAC Player of the Year, an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and to the AVCA All-Mideast Region Team along with Herman. Carlston had four Bobcats named to the All-MAC Team, one named to MAC All-Freshman Team and one named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
During the 2006 season, Ohio earned its four-straight MAC Regular Season and MAC Tournament title under Carlston. Carlston and the Bobcats made an appearance in the first round of the NCAA Tournament; finishing with a 28-5 overall and 16-0 conference record. Carlston guided Melissa Griffin and Savanah Para as they earned spots on the AVCA All-Mideast Region Honorable Mention Team. Carlston earned his fourth MAC Coach of the Year honor while Ellen Herman was named MAC Freshman of the Year and Griffin was named the MAC Tournament MVP. Carlston had five Bobcats selected for the All-MAC Team, one named to the MAC All-Freshman Team and two named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
In 2005, Carlston led Ohio to the NCAA Championship Regional Semifinals after defeating Alabama and Ohio State in the first two rounds of the national tournament. After earning a 33-3 overall and 16-0 conference record, the Bobcats earned its third-straight MAC Regular Season and MAC Tournament Titles. Carlston was named AVCA Mideast Region Coach of Year, had three players earn spots on the AVCA All-Mideast Region Team and had Julia Winkfield selected as an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Under Carlston, Ohio claimed four MAC specialty awards including MAC Coach of the Year, MAC Player of the Year, MAC Freshman of the Year and MAC Tournament MVP. Ohio also had five players named to the All-MAC Team and two named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
During the 2004 season, Carlston and the Bobcats were once again the MAC Regular Season and MAC Tournament Champions, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Calrston was named the MAC Coach of the Year after coaching the Bobcats to a 29-3 overall and 16-0 conference record. Adamovsky was named the MAC Player of the Year, MAC Tournament MVP and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Adamovsky was also selected for the AVCA All-Mideast Region Team. Five Bobcats were named to the All-MAC Team, two were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team and two were named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.
In 2003, Carlston guided the Bobcats to MAC Regular Season and MAC Tournament titles in addition to an appearance in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In Carlston first season as head coach, he was named the AVCA Mideast Coach of the Year and MAC Coach of the Year as the team finished with a 28-5 overall and 15-1 conference record. Carlston coached Laura Hageman as she was selected as the MAC Player of the Year and MAC Tournament MVP. Hageman was also selected to the AVCA All-Mideast Region Team along with Briana Adamovsky (Honorable Mention) and as an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Carlston had four players selected for the All-MAC Team, one player selected for the MAC All-Freshman Team and two players selected for the MAC All-Tournament Team.
In between his two coaching stints at Ohio, Carlston spent 12 years as the head coach at Ohio State. In his 12 seasons with the Buckeyes, Carlston recorded a 220-153 record.
Carlston began his coaching career in 1994 as head coach at Hopkins High School. In his two-year tenure, his teams went 41-17 and captured the Classic Lake Conference title both seasons.
He left the high school ranks for two years of service in Belize as a Peace Corps volunteer but stayed close to the sport, serving as head coach of the Belize women’s national team and as an assistant for the men’s national team. He helped develop a year-round training program and the team finished fourth at the 1997 Central America championship, earning the country’s first international victories.
Upon his return to the United States, Carlston became head coach of the 17’s team of the Minnesota One Junior Olympics club, which competed in the 17 Open Division at USA Nationals three consecutive years under his direction.
Carlston graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. He also earned an M.S.W from Minnesota.
Carlston resides in Athens with his wife, Sara, and have three children, Teddy, Charlie and Crosby.
