Carroll Fighting Saints | |
---|---|
First season | 1920 |
Head coach |
Mike Van Diest 16th year, 186–30–0 (.861) |
Stadium | Nelson Stadium |
Seating capacity | 7,000 |
Field surface | Grass |
Location | Helena, Montana |
Conference | Frontier Conference |
All-time record | 428–244–16 (.634) |
Claimed nat'l titles | 6 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010) |
Conference titles | 43 |
Colors | Purple and Gold |
Mascot | Fighting Saints (Halo) |
Rivals | Montana Tech University |
Website | CarrollAthletics.com |
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 Mike Van Diest who in his 17th season at Carroll, has compiled a career record of 194– 36. His winning percentage of .8145 is the third highest of any head coach with at least ten seasons of experience in college football history, behind only those of Mount Union's Larry Kehres and Notre Dame's Knute Rockne. The Carroll College Fighting Saints plays their home games on campus at Nelson Stadium.
Brandon Day, a linebacker on the team in 2007, made the December 24, 2007 cover of Sports Illustrated.
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 Louisville Cardinals football head coach, Bobby Petrino. The team is currently coached by Mike Van Diest and plays its home game on campus at Nelson Stadium.