James Carson

James Carson joined The University of New Mexico in January of 2019 as the Director of Athletic Performance, where he will work with and oversee the strength and conditioning program for the Lobo Football team.  He came to UNM after a two-year stint with Arizona State.

In 2020, Carson’s skills were immediately put to the test, as UNM lost its spring practice and strength time due to COVID-19.  In the fall, UNM left Albuquerque and UNM’s athletic performance center to centralize in a Las Vegas hotel.  Despite not having free weights, racks and machines, Carson developed a workout based on bands, available weights and plyometrics to keep UNM in top shape and strong for the season.  The Lobos were considered one of the league’s most durable teams.

With Arizona State, Carson served as the Assistant Head Coach – Sports Performance, working with the Sun Devil football team.  During his time many new performance marks were set by the Iron Devils.  Prior to his time with Arizona State, he spent two years at UMass as an assistant sports performance coach, working specifically with football.
Carson served as a graduate assistant at Valdosta State. He oversaw the strength and conditioning efforts for the women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s golf teams while also working with the football program.

Carson served as an intern with the University of South Carolina strength and conditioning staff May 2014-May 2015. He worked closely with the men’s and women’s track and field and men’s soccer programs while assisting with the department’s nutrition needs and education.

Carson earned his undergraduate degrees in psychology and religion from Bucknell in May 2013. He was a four-year member of the Bison football team and lettered as a defensive lineman in 2011 and 2012. Upon graduation, he served as a strength and conditioning intern at Ohio State, working with all facets of the department.