Carlson to Lead the Boys Basketball Program

Zeeland East High School has found its coach to lead the boys basketball program in Jeff Carlson.  Carlson is eagerly anticipating leading the Brown and Gold and forming relationships with players that extend beyond the court.  “The opportunity to work with the student-athletes and their families at Zeeland East is exciting, “ Carlson said.  “We will be looking to build a program that is not only competitive on the basketball court but has a strong foundation in providing positive experiences and doing things the right way.”

Carlson will be transitioning to the classroom in the fall at Zeeland East from his current role as Athletic Director at Zeeland West High School.  Prior to his role as Athletic Director, he taught Social Studies and English at Zeeland West. Carlson’s coaching experience includes 8 years as an Varsity Assistant Coach and one year as the Junior Varsity head coach for the Hope College Men’s Basketball program.  He also coached the Boys Varsity Tennis team at Zeeland West for eight years.

Zeeland East Athletic Director Josh Glerum shared the following on Carlson’s hire, “We are thrilled to have Jeff on staff at East.  His integrity, experience and vision for the program make him an ideal fit. Jeff’s passion for basketball and gift at forming relationships with student-athletes is abundantly clear.  We look forward to Jeff putting his stamp on the program.”

Jeff and his wife, Shawna, and three kids Peyton (8), Myles (6) and Kierstyn (3) will all be a major part of the family atmosphere Carlson will be creating at Zeeland East.  Carlson added, “Basketball has been a staple in our family’s life for many years and we have always treated the teams that we have been a part of as family. We are looking forward to continuing that with the Zeeland East basketball community moving forward.”

Carlson inherits a program that graduates five seniors, but returns seven players with varsity playing experience.   “With the possibility of many players with varsity experience returning from last years team joining with younger level players, we will be looking to compete at a high level,” Carlson said.  “Just like any other season, there is a process to get to where a team strives to be at and that is to reach our full potential by the end of the season.”