HELENA — Troy Purcell is the next head football coach at Carroll College, the school announced this morning.

The Carroll College graduate replaces Mike Van Diest, who retired after 20 seasons and six national titles last month.

Purcell rejoins the Saints after serving three seasons as the special teams coordinator/tight ends coach at under Paul Patrino at the University of Idaho. Before that, Purcell coached Bozeman to three Class AA State titles. He also led Havre to its first state title in 36 years in 2004.

Purcell, who will be the 21st head football coach in Carroll College history, played for coach Bob Petrino at Carroll form 1986-1990. During that stretch, the Saints won four Frontier Conference titles and made four playoff appearances.