Head Coach – Shawn Nelson
Shawn Nelson begins his seventh season as the head coach of the Fighting Saints women’s basketball team after leading the program to a school record 27-6 in 2007-08 and the program’s first ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament “Elite Eight” The Saints look to be even stronger in 2009-10. In six seasons, the Fighting Saints have advanced to the NAIA National Tournament five times, including three trips to the “Sweet Sixteen” and one to the “Elite Eight”. The Fighting Saints have also advanced to the Frontier Conference title game four of Coach Nelsons six seasons. In those six years the Saints have an impressive 163-46 (78%) record.
In 2008-09 The saints sufferd a number of season ending injuries. Which resulted in nine different girls in the starting rotation and numerous differnt starting line-ups thorught out the season. The Saints never played a game in 08-09 with all of their original startes healthy. 2009-10 hopes to be a much healthier, exciting year for the Fighting Saints.
In 2006-07, the Saints set a school record for wins in a season with 30 and set a school record for highest winning percentage in a season. They were ranked nationally in several categories: 1st in 3pt percentage (42.7%), 2nd in total rebound defense (28.77), 3rd in field goal percentage (46.6), 7th in scoring margin (+15.51), 7th in 3pt field goals made (8.3), 8th in total rebound margin (6.45), 15th in scoring defense (58.71), 19th in scoring offense (74.2)
In 2005-06, Coach Nelson led the Fighting Saints to a 27-7 record. Carroll finished the season with the highest national ranking in school history at No. 11, but were ranked as high as No. 2 earlier in the year while advancing to the NAIA DI Women’s Tournament for the third straight season. The Fighting Saints had some big wins in the ‘05-‘06 season against Montana State University Bozeman, 91-69 in an exhibition and NAIA power Oklahoma City University, 82-66. The Fighting Saints set many school records as well, including three-point field goals (322) and were ranked No.1 in country in three-point percentage (39.7).
Before becoming the head coach of the Fighting Saints women’s basketball team, Nelson helped the men’s team to three straight trips to the NAIA National Tournament, with each team setting school records for wins in a season. During his seven-year post as the assistant coach, the Fighting Saints advanced to the NAIA National Tournament four times and held national rankings each of those years. In addition, he was instrumental in maximizing and developing the abilities of two Frontier Conference Scoring Champions, eight NAIA All-Americans including one first team selection and 18 All-Frontier Conference selections, while involved in the program.
Nelson graduated from Carroll with a bachelor of arts in sociology in 1996 and played basketball for the Saint’s for four years. He was named All-Conference for two seasons and was the Frontier Conference Scoring Champion his senior year.
Nelson earned his master’s degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy, in Daphne, Alabama, and is the Director of the Advanced Offensive Skill Development held in Helena each summer. He and his wife Laura have two sons, Peyton and Cooper. Laura owns and operates Jack & Jills gift boutique store here in Helena.
Assistant Coach - Carly Van Dyke
Carly Van Dyke begins her seventh season as assistant coach for the women’s basketball program after a successful playing career for the Fighting Saints. Van Dyke helped guide the Fighting Saints to five straight NAIA DI National Tournament appearances and a 27-6 record in 2007-8, while advancing to the NAIA “Elite Eight” for the first time in school history.
Carly works closely with the guards in skill development and played a key role in the development of All-American and WBCA Kodak All-American Jolene Fuzesy, who set a national record for career three point percentage. She has worked extremely hard with returning All-Conference selection Elly Bruursema and a very talented group of returning guards. She also played an instrumental role in the development of Tara Zoanni in ‘03-04 who earned WBCA/Kodak All-America honors and Andrea Hall who earned Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2004-05. To her credit, she has worked with five All-Americans and nine All-Conference players, including two Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year selections.
As recruiting coordinator, Carly has been instrumental in the last six recruiting classes. Her other coaching duties include team travel and practice and game preparation.
Van Dyke graduated from Carroll College with a degree in community health and was a three-year starter on the women’s basketball team. While at Chester High School, Van Dyke earned All-State honors in volleyball, track, and basketball.
“Carly has done an outstanding job this off-season working at the game of basketball and finding ways to improve our team in skill development and our overall team philosophy. She is establishing herself as an outstanding recruiting as three of our four recruits this year had DI offers. She works tirelessly as a recruiter, which is amazing considering all that she does at Carroll. Carly spends many hours watching film and has made great strides in developing plays and making adjustments”.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Carly owns and operates Jack & Jills gift boutique store here in Helena.
Assistant Coach - JD Solomon
J.D. will begin his seventh season as an assistant coach after a stellar career for the Fighting Saints’ men’s team. Solomon is the only NAIA first team All-American in Carroll College men’s basketball history and led the Fighting Saints to the 2001 Frontier Conference Championship and a berth to the NAIA National Tournament. Solomon was a three-time All-Conference selection and played professional basketball in Bettembourg, Luxembourg for one season.
Solomon is directly responsible for the development of the post players including 2nd Team NAIA All-American Amy Brooks, Frontier Conference MVP and 3rd Team All-American Emili Woody, as well as All-Frontier Tournament selection Sophi Forney. To his credit he has developed three All-Conference performers. Solomon is also responsible for film exchange, recruiting, post skill development, and game and practice preparation.
Solomon has a very talented group of post players this season to work with that all saw considerable minutes last season.
JD Solomon is a 2001 graduate of Carroll College and is a history and secondary education major with a physical education minor. Solomon is originally from Billings, MT, and is currently a teacher at Capital High School.
“JD has a great group of posts to work with this season. They came on very strong late last season and their success has carried over to this season. They are a physically strong and fast group that JD has spent a lot of time developing. He is great at making adjustments during the game and continues to get better every year.”
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