From Brandeis University Athletics

Brandeis University has named Derek Carlson (Class of 1991) as the ninth head coach in school history, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Lynne Dempseyannounced today.

Carlson comes to Brandeis from Roger Williams University, where he had been head coach since 2003. He succeeds Pete Varney, who retired from the dugout this spring after 34 years and more than 700 wins as the Judges' head coach.

"This is an honor and a privilege," Carlson said. "I learned so much under coach Varney, both on and off the field. I've seen the kind of players that he has brought in from the opposing dugout, and I am looking forward to working with them myself."

"I am thrilled to welcome Derek back to Brandeis," Dempsey said. "He is the perfect choice to continue the tradition that Coach Varney established over his illustrious career. Derek has established a program at Roger Williams that produced successful teams on the field and successful people away from it, and we look forward to him being able to continue that success in his return to Brandeis."

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 win 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.