HELENA — Carroll College head men's basketball coach Ryan Lundgren resigned Friday, the program announced.
Lundgren, after one season in Helena, is headed to an out-of-state Big Sky program to be an assistant coach, according to a source.
Hired in June of 2023, Lundgren guided the Saints to a 19-12 record and a first-round appearance in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament, Carroll's first since 2022.
"It's never easy leaving a great place," Lundgren wrote in a text message to 406mtsports.com. "Carroll is an unbelievable school and basketball program. Though short-lived, my family and I loved this place with all our hearts...
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"Regardless of who sits in that head coaching chair, they will have success, and that is a testament to the administration's leadership at Carroll College and the support of the wonderful people in this community."
After beginning the season 4-7, the Saints reeled off 14 victories in 17 attempts to secure the No. 2 seed in the Frontier Conference Tournament.
Carroll finished runner-up to Montana Tech in the conference tournament and earned a No. 9 seed in the national tournament.
"We were all surprised when we found out about it," sophomore forward Derek Kramer said. "He's gotta do what he's gotta do, I'm happy for him...
"It just kinda sucks having to go through two coaches in two years, but I'm not gonna be mad at someone for pursuing what they wanna pursue."
An Idaho native, Lundgren served as College of Southern Idaho's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator since 2019 prior to being hired by Carroll.
Five players, including second-leading scorer Kendall Moore, was recruited to Carroll by Lundgren. Seven-footer Zane Foster was an All-Defensive Team selection after pacing the Frontier in blocked shots.
"Disappointment," Moore said, describing the emotion of a Friday afternoon team meeting. "[Over] him leaving. Not only was he a good coach, but he was a good person...
"I felt like everybody had a relationship with him, not only on the court but off the court. You could tell a lot of people around Carroll liked him, too."
Three more (Kellen Harrison, Carter Doleac, Kasen Carpenter) make up Carroll's current 2024 recruiting class.
The search for Lundgren's successor begins immediately, according to Carroll's media release. That person will be the third head men's basketball coach in the last three seasons.
"I've liked both of our previous coaches — Kurt Paulson and Lundgren," Kramer said regarding what he'd want in a new head coach. "So, one or the other, or a mix of both. Either way I'm fine."
Email Daniel Shepard at daniel.shepard@406mtsports.com or find him on Twitter/X @IR_DanielS.