Head Coach – Shawn Nelson
Shawn Nelson begins his sixth season as the head coach of the Fighting Saints women’s basketball team after leading the program to a school record 27-6 last season and the program’s first ever trip to the NAIA National tournament’s “Elite Eight”. In five seasons, the Fighting Saints have advanced to the NAIA National Tournament five straight seasons, including three trips to the “Sweet Sixteen” and one to the “Elite Eight”. The Fighting Saints were ranked in the Top 15 most of last season and advanced to the Frontier Conference Title game for the fourth consecutive year. In those five years the Fighting Saints have an impressive 143-30 record. The Fighting Saints led the country in 3pt percentage for the fourth consecutive season and placed Jolene Fuzesy on the WBCA/Kodak All-American Team.
In 2006-07, the Saints Fighting 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 such as 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 in an exhibition 91-69 and over 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 % (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 is employed by FATE.
Assistant Coach - Carly Van Dyke
Carly Van Dyke begins her sixth 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 Women’s National Tournament appearances and a 27-6 season last year, where the Fighting Saints advanced 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 3pt 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 five recruiting classes. Her other coaching duties include team travel and practice/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.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Carly is the director of the fitness center on campus and is responsible for designing and implementing various fitness and wellness routines. She is also work with game day management.
“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 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”
Assistant Coach - JD Solomon
J.D. will begin his sixth 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 birth at 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 and has worked closely with 2nd Team NAIA All-American Amy Brooks and 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/practice preparation.
Solomon has a very talented group of post players this season to work with that all saw minutes at the National tournament.
JD Solomon is a 2001 graduate of Carroll College and is a history 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 post to work with this season. They came on very strong late and their success has carried over to this season. They are 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.”
Assistant Coach - Michela Schmitz
Michela begins her second season as an assistant coach for the Fighting Saints after playing an instrumental role on the 2006-07 championship team. Schmitz helped the Saints to a 30-5 record and a spot in the NAIA National Tournament, where the Saints advanced to “Round of Sixteen” for the second time in school history. Schmitz transferred to Carroll from the University of Montana. She played two seasons for the University of Montana before season ending injuries set her back both seasons. She played in 14 games as a freshman scoring career high nine points vs. Florida State and played 36 minutes vs. Wyoming dishing out six assists.
Schmitz was the 2003 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year and averaged 22.6 points per game, five assists, and four rebounds per game as a senior for Great Falls High School. Schmitz was a two-time All-Conference and All-State performer and led Great Falls High School to three straight AA State Tournaments. Schmitz also earned four varsity letters in softball and played in four-straight AA State Softball Tournaments.
Schmitz will be responsible for point guard development and has two outstanding freshman and three other guards that have played that position to work with.
“Michela brings great insight to the game from a player’s perspective. She has a tremendous passion and she works very hard to help our program. She has overcome several setbacks in her career, which have made her a tougher competitor and valuable member of our team.