Since 1999, Mark Carlson has been the head coach of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, and has coached the most games in USHL history after surpassing North Iowa and Waterloo legend P.K. O’Handley in February of 2025.
Now just two wins away from passing O’Handley again for the most USHL career coaching victories, Carlson sits down to discuss why an East Coast guy ended up in Iowa, how the USHL will maintain its uniquely American identity in the changing landscape of junior hockey, and his becoming a part of the fabric of the Cedar Rapids community with his wife Tammy, the RoughRiders’ Director of Sales and Operations.
Hope you enjoy.
