Tolbert to run for Douglas commissioner; won’t return to coaching Carson girls basketball

Carson High School will have a new girls basketball coach next season, with Nathan Tolbert announcing Thursday he won’t return to the program.

Tolbert stepped in as the interim head coach after the first six games of the 2023-24 season and went on to win Coach of the Year honors in the Northern 4A.

The Senators were 9-18 overall last season and 6-15 after Tolbert took over.

His choice to not interview for the job for next season coincides with his decision to run for Douglas County Commissioner.

“Basketball is what I truly love, and working with the kids,” said Tolbert. “I’m faced with that choice. Do I continue coaching, which might be a little more selfish for me, ... or do I come back home to Douglas and fill a need that maybe has a much further reach?”

Tolbert, who previously served as Carson’s girls basketball coach from 2012 to 2015, added that he felt the program would be best served with a coach that could provide more long-term stability.

“There are younger, very capable people standing by who have said they definitely want to step in and give it a shot,” Tolbert said. “I came to rest thinking its best for the program if I do step away. I feel like I am always that guy that steps up to fill the need. I feel like that’s what you should do if you’re a contributing member of society.”

He hopes that a second run for Douglas County Commissioner will push conversations toward action.

“What does the youth look like here in Douglas County in 10 years or 20 years? I know that none of my sons can afford to live here. … If I get elected that’s what I’m going to focus on; let’s stop ignoring these issues that we have and start looking for solutions.”

Tolbert previously ran for the Douglas County commissioner in District 5 in 2020, but lost to Walt Nowosad by 515 votes out of 11,577 total votes cast.

“Nothing has changed in the four years that I wasn’t there. There’s still a lot of these issues hanging around,” Tolbert said.