Carleton College named Ryan Kershaw its head men’s basketball coach. He is the 12th head coach in the program’s 112-year history and replaces Guy Kalland, who announced his retirement in March following 38 seasons at the helm of the Knights. Kershaw recently completed his ninth season as the lead men’s basketball assistant coach at Carleton and has served as the program’s associate head coach since the 2019-20 season.
“I am beyond appreciative for both the opportunity to lead this program, as well as the outpouring of support I have received from so many inside and outside of the Carleton community,” Kershaw said. “Having spent the last nine years at Carleton, this institution, the men’s basketball program, and the athletic department mean a great deal to me. In many ways, this is a dream come true, and I am grateful for the many people that have played a significant role personally and professionally throughout the course of my life in preparing me for this occasion.
“Coaching at Carleton provides a unique opportunity to aspire to athletic achievement while also complimenting the educational mission of the College. My focus and effort will be directed at providing an exceptional high academic men’s basketball experience for the members of our program on the court, in the classroom, and within the campus community.”
This past season, Kershaw’s third year as associate head coach, the Knights went 16-7 overall, posted the third-highest winning percentage (.696) in the conference, and qualified for the MIAC Playoffs with a top-five finish for the third-time during the last five seasons.
Carleton had only one senior on last season’s roster, to the team is poised to return more than 86 percent of its scoring, including All-MIAC honorees Jeremy Beckler (Jr./Lino Lakes, Minn./White Bear Lake) and Luke Harris (Fy./Piedmont, Calif.).
Kershaw coached 11 All-MIAC selections over the past five seasons, a group that has collected six All-Region honors and includes two All-Americans, two Jostens Trophy finalists, and former Knight Freddie Gillespie, who was 1 of 2 former NCAA Division III players to play in the NBA during the 2021-22 season.
“We are thrilled and honored to have Ryan as Carleton’s new head men’s basketball coach,” said Carleton Athletic Director Gerald Young. “The search committee agreed that Ryan’s vison for the program, coupled with his passion and commitment to athletic success within the MIAC, make him an ideal fit for the job. Equally important is his dedication to the true student-athlete experience and the success of his players away from the court. I, along with the entire athletic department, look forward to working with Ryan to continue the success that Guy Kalland brought to the men’s basketball program over the last 38 years.”
A native of Huffman, Texas, Kershaw earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in 2004 and his master’s degree in leadership from Augsburg in 2013.
Kershaw returned to Northfield in 2013 after six seasons as the lead assistant at Augsburg University, where he helped lead the Auggies to the second-highest winning percentage among conference squads (.647) during his last five seasons on staff. The team appeared in the MIAC playoffs four times and reached the conference championship game during his final year as an assistant. He also served as an assistant coach at St. Olaf from 2005-07.
Kershaw’s wife, Abby ’04, was a four-year letter winner for the Knights in both women’s basketball and softball. On the hardwood, she played on four NCAA tournament teams, and on the diamond, she was a four-year starter at third-base. The couple have a son, Cade (8), and reside in Northfield.
