Carley joined the Kohawk coaching staff in the summer of 2012 after spending three years at the University of Chicago.  During his three years at the University of Chicago, Carley was in charge of coordinating recruiting assignments for members of the coaching staff.  He also focused on developing and facilitating conditioning programs for sprinters and jumpers.  He coached both men and women in Chicago.  Prior to coaching at Chicago, he spent three years as an assistant men's coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

While at the University of Chicago, the Maroon women placed fourth at the 2010 NCAA Indoor National Championships, the highest finish in school history. The women also won the UAA Conference Championship that year, while the Maroon coaching staff was named the league coaching staff of the year.  At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Carley was a member of a coaching staff that won back-to-back NCAA National Championships during the men's indoor seasons in 2008 and 2009.  During those same years, the Eagles won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference mens titles during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

During his collegiate days, Carley was a runner at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  A 2004 Pointer graduate, he was a three-time NCAA National Qualifier in the 4x400-meter relay, triple jump and long jump. He earned All-American honors in the triple jump in 2001, while winning the WIAC title in the 2003 long jump.