Gregory Allen Carlson

March 5, 1948 - November 15, 2025

Greg Carlson of Crawfordsville passed away Saturday night at the age of 77.

Carlson was a graduate of Wauwatosa West (Wis.) High School and earned an undergraduate degree in Physical Education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He held a Master of Education degree in Physical Education from the University of Oklahoma.

He was the head coach of four football programs, leading Wabash College for 18 years from 1983-2000, starting the football program at St. Scholastica (Duluth, MN) from 2008-2013, and at Whittier College (California) from 2003-2005. At Wabash, Carlson compiled a 112-57-2 record and won four conference championships as the head coach, after spending three previous seasons as the program's Defensive Coordinator.

His additional coaching resume includes stops with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (DL/LB), Ball State (Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator), the University of Illinois (Director of Football Operations), the University of Evansville (Defensive Coordinator), and at Metairie Park Country Day School in New Orleans (Head Coach).

He was also an active member of the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association).

Born March 5, 1948 in Lansing, Michigan, he was the son of Allen and Nathalie Carlson. He married Laura Helwig Carlson on August 8, 1970 and she preceded him in death on May 5, 2022.

Surviving family includes: daughter, Meghan Kannegieter; son, Matt Carlson; two grandchildren, Bodhi and Indiana Kannegieter; companion, Shirley Buck; brother, Scott Carlson; two sisters, Deb Fueger (Jon-Marc) and Karen Younker; sister-in-law, Lynne Helwig; along with many men who had the privilege to play for Coach Carlson.

Visitation will be from 1 PM to 3 PM Monday, Nov. 24th at Salter Concert Hall of Wabash College.  Services will be held at 3 PM.  After the service, he will be laid to rest at Indian Creek Hill Cemetery.  Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.