Lane College Men's Football

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.

A CEO or chief executive officer is responsible for a multitude of factors which ultimately contribute to its overall performance and growth. Such factors include strategic planning, decision making, leadership, and external representation. While most teams employ a wide receiver coach, Chris Thomas is the new CEO of I.C.E. Incorporated within the Lane College Football program. I.C.E is an acronym which means I Catch Everything and is the mantra of Coach Thomas and his dynamic core of receivers. While this is his inaugural season at Lane College, Coach Thomas has gained a wealth of experience since entering the coaching profession in 2013. Before coming to Jackson, Thomas served as Assistant Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach at the legendary Burke County High School located in Waynesboro Georgia. Burke County was 2024 Georgia Class 2A Regional Champs as well as state runner ups. While at Burke County Thomas developed two All Region running backs and was integral to the success of the offensive unit. In 2022 Thomas was named 2A Offensive Coordinator of the year. Prior to Burke County Thomas served as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Lucy Laney High School in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. While at Laney, Thomas orchestrated the schools first playoff win in over a decade. Thomas also has coaching experience from stints at Augusta Christian Academy as the Head Coach, Greene County High School, and Benedict College. Originally hailing from Augusta, Georgia Thomas attended Lucy Craft Laney High School where he earned all-region as well as all state honors a dual threat option at the quarterback position. To improve in both the classroom and the playing field Thomas enrolled at Georgia Military College after high school where he switched to the wide receiver position. As a wide receiver Thomas was named 2nd Team Junior College All American after his first year at the position. The following season he was named 1st Team Junior College All American which ultimately led to him signing at SWAC powerhouse Alabama State. While practicing for the Fall 2010 season Thomas suffered a devastating injury which prevented him from competing and was a catalyst to his transfer to Benedict College. In 2012 Thomas earned all SIAC honors at the quarterback position. After matriculating from Benedict College in 2013 with a degree in Sports Management Thomas was retained first as a student assistant and then elevated to the Quarterbacks Coach. In December of 2024 Thomas graduated from The University of Phoenix earning a Master’s degree in Secondary Education specializing in Health and Physical Education. Thomas holds professional memberships with the Minority Coaches Association of Georgia, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and The Mighty Sixth District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity INC.

Larry Behling begins his inaugural season at Lane College where he will serve as the Safeties Coach and assist with all aspects of Special Teams play. Behling brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will assist Lane College Football on and off the field. With his personal mantra of football being a calling and way of life to mentor and develop young men Behling takes a holistic approach towards personal development. Hailing from Bamberg, South Carolina Behling attended Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School where he was a stallworth on the defensive side of the ball. After much deliberation Behling decided to stay in-state for college and attended Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. At Benedict Behling displayed his athleticism and versatility playing both the safety and linebacker positions. Upon matriculation with a bachelor’s degree in the field of Child and Family Services Behling started his ministry of mentorship gaining employment with Columbia South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. While serving in this capacity Behling was instrumental in mentoring and steering young men into positive career and living environments as a proverbial “Bridge Builder”. While serving in this capacity was fulfilling, Behling felt the call to mentor young men through his first love, football. In 2014 Behling took the Defensive Backs and Assistant Strength and Conditioning position at his prep alma mater, Bamberg Ehrhardt High School. From 2014 to 2018 Behling enjoyed historic success and sent a multitude of individuals to play on the collegiate level. During this time the team won 2 region and 5 district championships, were two-time state runner ups (2014.2017), and had four seasons with over a 500% winning percentage. 2014 was his best year where the team went 12-2 and the defense only allowed 6.4 points per game. In 2018 Behling transitioned to powerhouse Orangeburg Wilkerson High School where he was elevated to Defensive and Special Teams Coordinator. Behling’s tenure at Orangeburg Wilkerson was culminated in the 2020 season where his defensive unit totaled 16 interceptions while averaging 2.28 takeaways per game. After achieving continued success on the prep level Behling transitioned to the collegiate ranks where he accepted the role of Pass Game Coordinator, Special Teams Assistant, and Defensive Backs Coach at Clarke University located in Dubuque, Iowa. Behling also served as the Head Coach of the Reserve Team. Having the opportunity to coach both the safeties and cornerbacks Behling cemented his philosophy within the defensive unit. Putting critical emphasis on agility, fundamentals, and coverage schemes Behling orchestrated a unit that produced multiple all conference players. Coach Behling holds professional membership in the South Carolina High School Coaches Association, National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches, AFCA, and is a leader within his local community. In 2023 Behling wrote his own nuptials and married fellow educator Lana Behling. The Behling’s are passionate about community, education, and their dogs.