Derek Carlson, Brandeis class of 1991, enters his 12th season with the Judges in 2026-27. In his first season with the Judges in 2016, he led the team to its first postseason berth in five years with a record of 19-17. In 2019, he earned his 300th career victory with a 17-13 victory over Becker College on April 11th. The 2026 campaign was the most successful in recent years, with the Judges setting a program record for UAA wins with 11 and placing two members of the All-UAA First Team and on the ABCA All-Region team.
Carlson currently serves as the chair of the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) All-New England Committee for the past five years. He also sat on the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America Committee for three years.
Carlson came to Brandeis from Roger Williams University, where he had been head coach since 2003. He succeeded Pete Varney, who retired from the dugout in the spring of 2015 after 34 years and more than 700 wins as the Judges' head coach.
In 13 seasons at Roger Williams, Carlson compiled 261 victories and was named Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Coach of the Year four times, most recently in 2014. His 2008 squad established a school record for wins with 34 and won an ECAC New England title. Carlson's players have earned 61 All-CCC selections, 16 All-New England honors, and two All-America honors. He's also had 87 All-CCC Academic team members and more than 200 Dean's List students.
Prior to Roger Williams, Carlson served as an assistant coach at Wheaton College between 1996 and 2003, and at his alma mater under coach Varney from 1991 to 1996.
As a player at Brandeis, Carlson was a four-year starter at catcher who served as team captain as a senior. He was a Greater Boston League All-Star twice and three times an All-University Athletic Association selection. He played in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners after his junior season. Carlson was a .313 career hitter – hitting better than .300 in three of his four seasons - with nine home runs and 92 RBI
A native of Salem, Mass., Carlson was inducted in the Salem High Hall of Fame in 2009.
