Carl Samuelson, an American swim coach, died on February 24, 2026, at age 94.
He coached Williams College from 1966 to 1999 after swimming freestyle at Springfield College. During his tenure, Williams won 14 Men’s New England Championships and 13 Women’s New England Championships.
The women’s team captured three NCAA Division III national titles, and the men finished in the NCAA top five 10 times. Samuelson was also named to the College Swimming Coaches of America Association’s 100 Greatest Swim Coaches of the Century.
Carl R. Samuelson (October 15, 1931 – February 24, 2026) was an American swim coach. He swam freestyle for Springfield College and was the swim coach for Williams College from 1966 to 1999, where he led the team to 14 Men’s New England Championships, and 13 Women’s New England Championships. The Women’s team were National NCAA Division III Champions three times, and the Men’s team were in the top five NCAA finishes 10 times. In an exclusive honor, Samuelson was named to the College Swimming Coaches of America Association’s (CSCAA) 100 Greatest Swim Coaches of the Century.