Carroll Fighting Saints football

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 program has won six NAIA Football National Championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010) and 40 conference championships, 14 while a member of the Montana Collegiate Conference and 26 as a member of the Frontier Conference. 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.

Carroll Fighting Saints football
First season1920
Athletic directorCharlie Gross
Head coachTroy Purcell
5th season, 30–16 (.652)
StadiumNelson Stadium
(capacity: 7,000)
Field surfaceGrass
LocationHelena, Montana
ConferenceFrontier Conference
All-time record428–244–16 (.634)
Claimed national titles6 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010)
Conference titles43
ColorsPurple and gold[1]
   
MascotFighting Saints (Halo)
Websitecarrollathletics.com

Notable alumni

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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

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National Championship game appearances

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Year Coach Result Score Opponent
2002 Mike Van Diest Won 28–7 Georgetown (KY)
2003 Mike Van Diest Won 41–28 Northwestern Oklahoma State
2004 Mike Van Diest Won 15–13 St. Francis (IN)
2005 Mike Van Diest Won 27–10 St. Francis (IN)
2007 Mike Van Diest Won 17–9 Sioux Falls
2008 Mike Van Diest Lost 23–7 Sioux Falls
2010 Mike Van Diest Won 10–7 Sioux Falls
2011 Mike Van Diest lost 24–20 St. Xavier

Conference championships

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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

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  1. ^ "CARROLL COLLEGE". Retrieved November 12, 2021.
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