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| Muhlenberg athletics photo |
Juniata has announced the hiring of Josh Carter as the 23rd head coach of the football team. Carter, a two-time D3football.com All-American, has been the special teams coordinator and quarterbacks and receivers coach at Muhlenberg, his alma mater.
He replaces Tim Launtz, who retired from his coaching position earlier this offseason after nine seasons. The Eagles were 28-63 under his tenure.
"We feel Josh is one of the top young coaches in the country and the absolute right person to take the reins of our football program at this moment in time," said athletic director and men's basketball coach Greg Curley. "His experience in helping lead one of the top Division III football programs in the country, at a highly selective academic institution; his background as a proven recruiter, coach, and teacher; his commitment to developing the entire student-athlete both on and off the field; his passion and vision for Juniata football combined with his character and values-based leadership philosophy; align perfectly with our priorities and expectations for our football program."
Carter spent the past six years at Muhlenberg, where he was responsible for coordinating all facets of the kicking game, including: playbook, installation, scouting, personnel, and scheme. The team was 58-13 while he was on staff, rewriting the school and conference record books. Muhlenberg won an ECAC Championship in 2017, made the NCAA quarterfinals and was Centennial Conference co-champions in 2018, and this past season went 13-1 on their way to the NCAA D-III semifinals while also winning a conference championship.
In 2018, Michael Hnatkowsky broke the school record for touchdown passes in a season with 31 TD tosses. In 2017, Hnatkowsky set the conference record for passing yardage and touchdowns by a freshman. In 2016, kick returner Nick Lamb led the conference in kickoff returns and was a D3football.com Third Team All-American, the first Muhlenberg return specialist named to the squad since Carter himself in 1999 and 2000. During his six years, Carter's position groups featured 11 all-conference selections, two Players of the Year, and one All-American.
"Coming to Juniata is the realization of a dream for me. I can't say thank you enough for the support that has been given to me by family and friends throughout my life that have led me to this point," said Carter. "I'd like to thank President Troha, Greg Curley, and the search committee for the opportunity to head a new era of Juniata Football. I'd also like to thank my Muhlenberg family for everything. Without all of the players, coaches, staff and administrative support over my playing and coaching career, I would not be standing where I am today."
Carter also spent time as a safeties coach at Fordham and as a wide receivers coach at Lafayette in the mid-2000s.
Carter was an exceptional two-sport athlete in his time at Muhlenberg, as he was a standout football and baseball player. He was named to the All-Centennial Conference first team five times (three as a kick returner and two as a wide receiver) and was CC Offensive Player of the Year in 2000. He has also put together a stellar baseball career, where he hit .348, stole a school-record 86 bases, and pitched a no-hitter. Carter was inducted into the Muhlenberg College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named to the D3football.com All-Decade team in 2011.
Carter is the first African-American head coach of the Juniata football program and the third to lead a Centennial Conference football team, joining Maurice Banks, who was hired at Gettysburg one day earlier, and returning McDaniel coach DeMarcus White
"I think it's great, knowing that we are getting these opportunities, and it is nice to enter into the club with Coach Banks and join Coach White," said Carter. "It shows that the Centennial is making great strides, that there are people of color who are more than qualified and ready to take on the responsibly of being the face of a program. It shows that we are entering into the next phase of progress for people from underrepresented communities becoming head football coaches."