Scott Carlson was named an assistant coach on May, 18th. He will begin his first season on the Laker bench in the 2026-27 campaign.
Before coming to GVSU, Carlson was the lead assistant at Ferris State University. While there, he helped lead them to three 20+ win seasons and three trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs routinely were among the best shooting teams in the country under Carlson's watch, including the 2025-26 season, where they ranked in the top three in the GLIAC in scoring offense, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage. He coached 17 All-GLIAC performers, with eight being named to the first team.
Western Michigan gave Carlson his first job on a college staff. The Broncos' Director of Scouting and Player Development, Carlson was in Kalamazoo for the 2021-22 season, where he helped them to a 10-win improvement and a spot in the MAC Tournament. With him in charge of developing scouting reports for the opposing teams, Western saw their defense allow seven fewer points per game. He coached Lauren Ross to the MAC All-Freshman team and third-team all-conference.
Before joining the collegiate ranks, Carlson enjoyed a successful run as the head girls' basketball coaching at Kent City. From 2009-2021, he compiled a 229-49 record, winning 10 conference titles, 10 district titles, two regionals, and earned a state runner-up finish. Under his tutelage, 14 players went on to play collegiately after their high school careers finished. His teams set Michigan girls' basketball single-game (25) and single-season three-point records (263), and the Eagles were consistently one of the best shooting teams in the state.
Carlson is a graduate of Calvin College, where he obtained a political science degree.
