A day after stepping down as assistant head football coach at Lincoln High School, Jason Carter was named head football coach at Valhalla.
Carter inherits a Norsemen program that was 3-8 last season and 20-71 under four coaches since the last winning season in 2016. That run includes a 1-9 record in 2022, a 0-6 mark in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and a 0-10 showing in 2018.
“People asked me, ‘Why Valhalla?’ I said, ‘Why not Valhalla?,’” Carter said. “I loved my time at Lincoln, loved the kids there, but it was time to get out and run my own program. And they want me at Valhalla.”
As coach David Dunn’s top assistant, Carter was a big part of Lincoln’s success. The Hornets went 80-19 and won four CIF San Diego Section championships and three state titles in Carter’s time on the Lincoln staff.
He was also the head coach at La Jolla for three years, going 15-20 from 2013-15.
“My immediate job is to get the kids at Valhalla to buy in,” said Carter, whose son Jaston will be a freshman at the school next season.
“We’re not going to reinvent the wheel, but I want to create grit, discipline and toughness. I want to bring fresh energy, motivate the kids. You do that through hard work. We’ll get to work in March, and we may not touch a football for a month while I find out who my leaders are, who will step up.”
Carter is a spread-offense guy, but wants to see his players before committing to an offense.
On defense, “we’ll have 11 people flying to the ball,” he said. “We’ll be tough, we’ll be tenacious, and we will hit you.”
Carter is the latest CIF San Diego Section coach with NFL experience.
A Caldwell, Texas native, Carter played both quarterback and receiver at Texas A&M. He played one season at receiver for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and signed with the Carolina Panthers, but tore his ACL and missed the 2008 season.
“Jason Carter’s leadership, championship experience, and commitment to developing young men both on and off the field make him an outstanding addition,” said Valhalla athletic director Steve Bulette. “We are confident that Coach Carter’s vision, discipline and winning mentality will elevate the program to new heights.”
NFL players come back home
A look at CIF San Diego Section high school football coaches with NFL experience:
Name, High school team/Position/College/NFL team
Damon Baldwin, Ramona; OL; San Diego State; Raiders
Nick Barnett, Del Norte; LB; Oregon State; Packers, Bills and Washington
Jason Carter, Valhalla; WR; Texas A&M; Vikings and Panthers
Stephen Cooper, San Diego; LB; Maine; Chargers
David Dunn, Lincoln; WR; Fresno State; Bengals, Steelers, Browns and Raiders
Stefan McClure, El Camino; DB; Cal; Washington
Nick Novak, Maranatha Christian; K; Maryland; Chiefs, Chargers and Texans
Bryan Wagner, Hilltop; P; Cal State Northridge; Bears, Browns and Packers
Shane Walton, Bishop’s; DB; Notre Dame; Rams
Eric Weddle, Rancho Bernardo; DB; Utah; Chargers, Ravens and Rams
JOHN MAFFEI
date: 2026-02-12 16:30:00
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