Joseph L. Carter begins his 1st season at Lane College where he serves as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Backs Coach. Prior to his tenure at Lane College, Carter served in a diverse multitude of roles most recently as the Defensive Coordinator then Interim Head Coach of the Lincoln University of Missouri Football program.
Before his time at Lincoln University of Missouri Carter spent a brief stint as Edward Waters College as Defensive Coordinator where he was instrumental in building the athletic culture not only in football but the entire athletic department.
From 2006 to 2019 Carter spent fourteen years at Tuskegee University where he helped the program maintain its culture of leadership and winning. Initially hired as a defensive backs coach Carter was elevated to the role of Defensive Coordinator in 2011.
Carter came to Tuskegee after serving six years as the defensive backs coach and head strength and conditioning coach at Southern Arkansas from 2001 until 2006. He has 20-plus years of coaching during his career which include stops at the University of West Alabama as the linebackers coach (one year), Edward Waters where he served as Defensive Coordinator and Interim Head Coach, Cumberland College (Ky.) where he served as the defensive coordinator, defensive line and strength coach (three years), and Eastern New Mexico State where he served as a graduate assistant and defensive line coach (four years) before his stint at Tuskegee.
In 2014, Carters defense ranked near the top of the SIAC in every major statistical category; finishing near the top in the conference in scoring defense (20.3 ppg), total defense (306.2 ypg), rushing defense (212.6 ypg), interceptions (14) and sacks (37). Carter had three of the top 20 leaders in tackling in the SIAC in 2014, led El’Malik Chinn who finished fourth overall averaging 8.4 tackles per game and third overall in total tackles with 101. Coach Carters amoeba defense also had three players in the top 10 in sacks in the conference, led by Julian Morgan at 9.5 sacks – good for second overall in the conference. The Golden Tigers also had league leaders in tackles for loss. Coach Carter’s defense also finished in the top 20 nationally and top 40 nationally in statistics during the 2014 season. Tuskegee finished 17th in total defense (306.2 ypg) to finish in the top 20. They also finished 28th in passing yards allowed (185.3 ypg), 29th in fourth-down conversion percentage defense (0.346), 30th in rush defense (120.9 ypg), 34th in scoring defense (20.3 ppg), and 35th in team passing efficiency defense (111.31).
In 2015, Carter’s unit led the nation with eight defensive touchdowns throughout the year. Carter helped coach players who were selected to nine different All-American teams (three different players), three All-Region selections and five All-Conference selections. Michael Robinson and Jonah McCutcheon - both starting safeties - were selected All-Conference, All-Region and were each selected to different All-American teams.
During the 2016 season, Carter coached a unit that led the SIAC in total defense averaging 264.5 yards per game. Under his development, linebacker Osband Thompson who was named the 2016 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Golden Tigers allowed just 18.46 points per game throughout the season in which they finished 10-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The defense allowed just 112.2 yards per game rushing and 184.54 yards passing per game. The team tied the school record for interceptions in a game with five against Morehouse in October during the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic in Columbus.
In 2017, Carter's defense held Fort Valley State to only 183 yards of total offense, two scoreless quarters and a pair of field goals in the second and fourth quarters only. Playing in the SIAC conference championship game for the first time since 2014, the stingy TU defense also only allowed 28 yards passing in that game. In that same season he was able to hold two Div I FCS opponents to a total of only six points (Alabama State) and seven points (Jackson State).
During this historic winning run Coach Carter won eight SIAC Championships, three Pioneer Bowls, one HBCU National Championship (2015), and four NCAA playoff appearances. In 2018 Carter’s defense ranked 8th in the entire country, which demonstrates the efficiency and tactics used to maintain this culture over a longitudinal amount of time.
During this twelve-year span Carter compiled a resounding 45-2 record which still holds as one of the greatest tenures in the institutions rich history. In 2010 Carter completed the Bill Walsh Minority Internship with the Houston Texans of the National Football League.
The Magnolia Mississippi native graduated from South Pike High after an All-American high school career where he was a preeminent running back with a diverse skill set. These attributes lead Carter to sign a full ride scholarship to Eastern New Mexico University.
Carter’s productive collegiate career was culminated during his senior season when he earned an unanimous team award as the “Best Blocking Back.” Carter matriculated from Eastern New Mexico with an undergraduate degree in University Studies as well as a Master’s degree in Sport Administration.
Carter holds membership in the American Football Coaches Association and is the proud father of his beautiful progeny, Allesha Carter.
