Kodiak Creative/Jimmy Naprstek

Flag Football Coaching Staff Grows with Addition of Carlson & Harris

Inaugural season set to begin

8/26/2025 10:29:00 AM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University's flag football program got stronger as head coach Melissa Valenzuela announced the hiring of Kelly Carlson and Stephen Harris as assistant coaches Tuesday, Aug. 26. Together, the trio make up the inaugural coaching staff for one of IWU's newest athletic programs which is set to begin competition in the upcoming spring.

"Being a former IWU student-athlete, Coach Carlson will bring two-fold knowledge and experience," Valenzuela shared. "She is an exceptional archetype of IWU, so the selection was easy. Her commitment is already apparent as she settles into this new role and new sport."

Carlson, no stranger to Titan athletics, returns to her alma mater in a new capacity. A two-sport student-athlete that was a multiple time Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honoree, Carlson competed as part of the women's basketball and lacrosse teams. She was a Second Team All-CCIW selection in lacrosse. Carlson graduated from IWU in 2023 and spent two years as a graduate assistant in the Titan athletic communications office. She earned her master's degree in sports administration from Illinois State University in May of 2025.

"Coach Harris is a competitive flag football player and coach," Valenzuela added. "As a person, he is sensible and encouraging. Couple these attributes with his defensive knowledge, and I am confident that Coach Harris will do great things for this team."

A native of Peoria, Ill., Harris has been active in flag football for nearly a decade. He brings a variety of coaching experience ranging from the youth level, high school, and now college. He has played in The Jokers Flag Football league since 2016 and spent the last season as a coach at Manual High School in his hometown. Harris is a product of Dunlap High School, where he was a standout on the football team.

Carlson and Harris join Valenzuela's inaugural staff as the program's first season is set to kickoff in the spring of 2026. Wasting no time since being named the program's first head coach in December 2024, Valenzuela has assembled an incredibly talented incoming class and has been active at camps and clinics throughout the country.

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