Dale Carlson was named the 16th head football coach in Valparaiso University history on Jan. 14, 2010, and is just the seventh leader of the program since 1946.  In 2012 he will be entering his 24th season as a collegiate head coach overall, having posted a 111-124-3 career mark.   He embarks on year three with the Crusader program.

Carlson arrived at Valpo from Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, where he guided the Panthers to a 36-27 record over six seasons, including 7-3 marks each of his last two years.  At Ohio Dominican, Carlson began the program from scratch prior to the 2004 season.

Prior to his stint at Ohio Dominican, Carlson spent eight seasons as the head football coach at Tri-State University in Angola, Ind.  There he also began the intercollegiate football program, leading the school to 11 victories in 1998.