Kurt Paulson steps down as Carroll men’s hoops coach

HELENA — Carroll College Athletic Director Charlie Gross announced Friday that he has accepted Kurt Paulson's resignation as the Saints men’s basketball coach after five seasons.

"Kurt did an outstanding job leading Carroll's men's basketball program," Gross said. "The team was highly competitive on a national level; they shined in the classroom and were engaged in the community at every opportunity. Carroll prides itself on modeling excellence and having no equal, and Kurt was no exception to this standard during his five-year tenure.

“I wish to personally thank Kurt for his loyalty and passion for Carroll College and our men's basketball program. His dedication truly embodies what it means to be a Fighting Saint, and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

Under Paulson the Saints compiled a 115-44 record. He led Carroll to the NAIA National Tournament in four out of his five years, with appearances in the round of 32 in 2022, the quarterfinal round in 2021 and, in Paulson’s first season as coach, a run to its first-ever NAIA national title game in 2019.The Saints lost to Georgetown, Kentucky 68-48.

The Whitefish product played for the Saints from 2003-06, and started at guard for the 2005 Gary Turcott-coached Saints that made it to the NAIA Tournament semifinals. He was then a Carroll assistant for two seasons from 2007-09, then joined head coach Wayne Tinkle’s staff at Montana as a graduate assistant.

Minus one season coaching the Bigfork Vikings in 2012-13, Paulson coached alongside Tinkle until he became the 27th coach in Carroll men’s basketball history on April 12, 2018.

Two of his Saints teams won 29 games, and in 2019 and 2022 he was named the Frontier Conference Coach of the Year. This past season the Saints finished 13-14.

"I am stepping down as Carroll men's basketball coach," Paulson said in a statement posted to social media on Friday. "Carroll has been good to me for 12 years as both a student-athlete and coach. I will forever love this place and the people I met along the way.

“Thanks to Dr. Cech and Charlie Gross for the opportunity. Thanks to the players as they accomplished a lot — most wins in the conference the last 5 seasons with a team GPA of 3.36 over that time. Thanks to the assistant coaches, managers and trainers as well. Right now my wife and sons need my time, we look forward to the next chapter."

Paulson’s father Kent was Frontier Conference commissioner for 14 seasons; Kent Paulson announced his retirement in April.

A search for Carroll’s next basketball coach will commence immediately.