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. 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. 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

YearCoachResultScoreOpponent
2002Mike Van DiestWon28–7Georgetown (KY)
2003Mike Van DiestWon41–28Northwestern Oklahoma State
2004Mike Van DiestWon15–13St. Francis (IN)
2005Mike Van DiestWon27–10St. Francis (IN)
2007Mike Van DiestWon17–9Sioux Falls
2008Mike Van DiestLost23–7Sioux Falls
2010Mike Van DiestWon10–7Sioux Falls
2011Mike Van Diestlost24–20St. Xavier