THE TIE THAT BINDS

Over the years, there have been a lot of men who have connected Havre to Carroll College football. Last weekend, it happened again.

Last Friday in Helena, Carroll College announced the hiring of Troy Purcell as its new head coach, and, once again, football history in Havre becomes intertwined with the Fighting Saints.

That’s because Purcell is a former Havre Blue Pony. And not only is he a former Pony, but, he guided the Ponies to one of their greatest seasons in school history, culminating with the 2004 Class A state championship.

Yes, with Gary Wagner, Marc Mariani, Coda Tchida, Ted Wells and so many other great players, Purcell and the Blue Ponies marched to an undefeated season, with two wins over Billings Central, and Havre’s first football state championship in more than three decades.

In his time in Havre, Purcell was highly successful. He had a record of 40-13, led HHS to three Central A titles and two state championship game appearances, winning in 2004, and falling to Laurel in the 2002 title game.

Purcell left Havre in 2005 to become the head coach at Bozeman High, and he was great there too. He led the Hawks to three Class AA state championships before moving to the college ranks in as a tight ends coach at the University of Idaho the last three seasons.

But, Purcell’s stay in Idaho was only a prelude to him truly coming home.

“This has always been my dream job,” Purcell said at his introductory press conference in Helena. “Coach Petrino and his staff made me a strong leader and a man of character, so giving back to Carroll means a lot to me.”

Why would Carroll be Purcell’s dream job? Other than the fact that the position is likely the most prestigious and sought-after job in all of NAIA football, it’s because it’s alma mater.

Purcell is a Helena native and graduate of Helena Capitol High School. He then moved across town and contributed to a run of success while playing at Carroll. He played under legendary head coach Bob Petrino from 1986-1990, where he earned an all-conference recognition his senior year. The Saints won four conference championships and made the NAIA playoffs each season Purcell suited up.

Now things have come full circle for the former Fighting Saint. He’s the 21st head coach in Carroll history, but just the third in the last 47 years, following in the foot steps of Hall of Famers Petrino and Mike Van Diest, who retired at the end of the 2018 season.

“I'm excited to spread the mission of Carroll College and continue the tradition of excellence here but I have big shoes to fill," Purcell said. "I don't know if there has ever been two hall of fame men and coaches like Bob Petrino and Mike Van Diest."

But things haven’t just come full circle for Purcell and Carroll, they will for Purcell’s connection to Havre, too. After winning that glorious state title in 2004, Purcell didn’t coach another game inside famed Blue Pony Stadium. However, that will change next fall when the Fighting Saints come to Havre to play the Montana State University-Northern Lights.

When that day comes, Purcell will be on the opposite sideline from the one he used to stalk as the highly-successfull coach of the Blue Ponies. And one could argue that it was that sideline, inside Blue Pony Stadium, that truly started Purcell’s path to the Carroll, and to becoming the head coach of one of the flagship programs in all of NAIA football.

“Coach Purcell is Carroll College,” Wagner, who quarterbacked the Ponies for Purcell in 2003-2004, and quarterbacked the Saints to a national championship, said. “We are so lucky to have him. He is a big time motivator and that is something that helps kids believe in themselves. I remember being smaller than most kids my age but he noticed some of my talents that he liked and praised those areas often. It made me play to a higher level than I should have been. It was his words of praise and positivity that helped mold me into an athlete and kid that believed in myself and thought that nothing was impossible.

“We live in a world where it’s easy for people to point out your flaws and have those stand out,” he continued. “Coach Purcell sees the other side of that. He will sing your praises and build you up to a level much higher than expected. He is a good man, husband, father, son and will help bring Carroll College back to a championship level.”