Carson Dowling joined the Sailfish men's basketball program as an assistant prior to the 2025-26 season.
PBA turned in a historic season in 2025-26. The Sailfish recorded a 26-6 overall record and 16-4 conference record. The season set a new record for wins in PBA's DII-era and conference wins since joining the SSC. The Sailfish finished second in the SSC and was ranked as high as No. 3 in the NABC top 25. Dowling assisted the 'Fish to their second NCAA Regional berth in program history. The regular season was highlighted by a win over No. 1-ranked Nova Southeastern on Dec. 13. Preston Le Gassick became the second Sailfish to earn first team all-SSC honors and the first to be named to the D2CCA all-region first team. Alvin Tumblin Jr. earned a spot on the all-SSC second team while Christian Kirkland earned a spot on the All-SSC defensive team. The squad boasted a 17-1 record at home in Rubin Arena. The Sailfish led the SSC in team defense, allowing 73.6 points per game and holding opponents to a league-low 41 percent from the field. The 'Fish boasted one of the most efficient offenses in the country, leading the SSC with a 49 percent team field goal percentage.
Dowling most recently served as a graduate assistant with the University of Florida's men's basketball program. In that capacity, he managed a staff of student managers, organized daily responsibilities, and produced more than 40 scouting reports per season to support the coaching staff. He also played a central role in coordinating team travel logistics and enhancing equipment room operations.
Prior to his graduate assistant position, Dowling served two seasons as a student manager at Florida, progressing from volunteer to scholarship roles. In-season, he dedicated over 60 hours per week assisting in practice preparation, hosting recruiting visits, and addressing daily team needs.
Off the court, Dowling gained experience with Gatorade as a Team Lead, engaging youth at summer sports camps, while also developing customer service skills through roles in fan operations with Gator Hospitality and at Hawkstone Country Club.
Dowling earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management and a minor in Innovation from the University of Florida. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Sports Event Management.
