Carroll Fighting Saints football
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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
| 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
| 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 |