Sean Carlson, who has served as Notre Dame’s head men’s cross country coach since 2019, has been named head men’s track and field coach for the Irish.
During his tenure, he has guided athletes to 13 school records, 27 NCAA All-American performances, two NCAA records and two NCAA championships. Additionally, Carlson has led the Irish to three ACC Cross Country Championship titles and three consecutive top-10 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
“This new title is emblematic of the diligence and leadership that Coach Carlson has displayed while transforming our men’s distance squad into a truly elite group,” Hatherly-Piane Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Matt Sparks said.
The last year has been the most decorated of Carlson’s career. Last March, the Irish had their most successful season in over 60 years as they placed second at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Later that spring, two-time NCAA champion Yared Nuguse would go on to set the NCAA record in the 1500m and qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games after a third-place finish at the Olympic Trials. Sam Voelz also placed sixth at the Olympic Trials in the 800m — the highest finish of any collegiate athlete in that event.
During the 2021-2022 indoor season, Nuguse and Dylan Jacobs ran the fastest times ever recorded by American NCAA athletes in the 3000m and 5000m, respectively. Nuguse’s time of 7:38.13 broke Alistair Cragg’s 18-year-old NCAA record, while Jacobs’ 13:14.04 was the 4th fastest time ever run in NCAA history.
“I am humbled and excited by the opportunity that Coach Sparks and the University of Notre Dame have given me,” Carlson said. “My goal is to work to the best of my ability to develop our athletes for elite performances in our sport, and for successful lives and careers after they graduate.”
Carlson began his time at Notre Dame in 2011 as an assistant coach to the track and field and cross country programs. Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Carlson was a cross country and head distance track coach at Saint Charles North High School in Saint Charles, Ill.
Carlson attended North Central College where he was a member of both the cross country and track and field teams, serving as team captain and earning All-American honors. His team claimed both indoor and outdoor NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships titles.