The Carroll Fighting Saint football program represents Carroll College of Helena, Montana, in college football. The team competes in the Frontier Conference, which is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Carroll Fighting Saints football team began playing in 1920 and is one of the most successful programs in the NAIA division of college football.
The team is currently coached by Troy Purcell who is in his fifth season at Carroll. The Carroll College Fighting Saints play their home games on campus at Nelson Stadium.
History The 1931 football team was undefeated, untied, and unscored upon and finished the season as state champions. The Fighting Saints were also the first collegiate coaching home for John Gagliardi, known as the winningest coach in all of college football (regardless of division). Gagliardi coached at Carroll for four years before moving to St. John's University in Minnesota, where he coached them for 60 seasons.
Notable alumni In addition, the Carroll program has developed many well known talents either as a coach or a player, including the winningest coach in college football history, John Gagliardi, former Detroit Lions tight end, Casey FitzSimmons, and former Louisville head coach, Bobby Petrino. The team is currently coached by Troy Purcell and plays its home games on campus at Nelson Stadium.
Championships
National Championship game appearances
YearCoachResultScoreOpponent2002Mike Van DiestWon28–7Georgetown (KY)2003Mike Van DiestWon41–28Northwestern Oklahoma State2004Mike Van DiestWon15–13St. Francis (IN)2005Mike Van DiestWon27–10St. Francis (IN)2007Mike Van DiestWon17–9Sioux Falls2008Mike Van DiestLost23–7Sioux Falls2010Mike Van DiestWon10–7Sioux Falls2011Mike Van Diestlost24–20St. Xavier
Conference championships Year Conference Coach Postseason result 1926 Montana Collegiate Conference Wilbur Eaton 1927 Montana Collegiate Conference Wilbur Eaton 1928 Montana Collegiate Conference Wilbur Eaton 1931 Montana Collegiate Conference Bill Jones 1940 Montana Collegiate Conference Ed Simonich 1941 Montana Collegiate Conference Ed Simonich 1950 Montana Collegiate Conference John Gagliardi 1951 Montana Collegiate Conference John Gagliardi 1952 Montana Collegiate Conference John Gagliardi 1953 Montana Collegiate Conference Raymond Hunthausen 1954 Montana Collegiate Conference Raymond Hunthausen 1955 Montana Collegiate Conference Raymond Hunthausen 1956 Montana Collegiate Conference Raymond Hunthausen 1960 Montana Collegiate Conference John Hunthausen 1972 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1973 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1974 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1976 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1978 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA Quarterfinal 1980 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1981 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1982 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1985 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA Semifinal 1986 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA Semifinal 1987 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA First Round 1988 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA Semifinal 1989 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA First Round 1990 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. 1993 Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr. NAIA First Round 2000 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal 2001 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal 2002 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion 2003 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion 2004 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion 2005 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion 2006 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Quarterfinal 2007 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion 2008 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Finalist 2009 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal 2010 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion 2011 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Final 2013 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal 2014 Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Quarterfinal 2021 Frontier Conference Troy Purcell NAIA First Round
References
External links