Sam Eshelman, a Carlsbad High graduate who played basketball for the Lancers, is back at his alma mater as the school's new athletic director.

Eshelman grew up in Carlsbad and took over the role this fall. In a profile published Tuesday, Oct. 6, by The Lancer Link, the student-run newspaper, he said his focus goes beyond scoreboards.

"I want our student athletes to feel that this is a place where their experience as a student athlete matters," Eshelman said.

He described his approach as "inside-out coaching," aimed at helping coaches develop leadership skills in their players. He said he wants to build a mentorship culture and keep his door open for any athlete who needs support.

The personal connection runs deep.

Eshelman played high school basketball at Carlsbad High and said the experience shaped him. He told The Lancer Link he has long wanted to work in athletics, and returning to the school where he competed gave the job added meaning.

The Eshelman family has deep roots in the city. Sam's parents, Rosemary and David Eshelman, moved to Carlsbad in the 1980s, according to a city of Carlsbad profile. Rosemary Eshelman served 25 years as coordinator of Youth Enrichment Services and later became the district-wide health and wellness coordinator for Carlsbad Unified School District. She was named a Carlsbad Citizen of the Year in July 2026.

Sam's brother, Thomas Eshelman, is a pitching coach at Texas Christian University.

Carlsbad High enrolls about 2,336 students in grades 9-12. The Lancer Link reported Eshelman has spent his first month on the sidelines and providing mental support for athletes as fall competition gets underway.