MidAmerica Nazarene University head football coach Jonathan Quinn had never stepped foot onto Carroll College’s campus prior to hopping off the team bus Friday afternoon, but the first-year skipper had heard more than a few stories.

Quinn got his fist look while preparing his team for today’s NAIA quarterfinal playoff game against the Saints with a walkthrough at Nelson Stadium just hours after landing in Helena.

Quinn spent seven years as a backup quarterback in the NFL after being drafted in the third round by Jacksonville in 1998. As it happened, his position coach and offensive coordinator with the Jaguars was former Saints player and coach Bobby Petrino.

“When I asked (Petrino) about his background, he said he was from Carroll and I heard a little more every now and then,” Quinn said. “That must have been 10 years ago now – about the time they started winning all the national championships up here. They’ve really made a name for themselves since then.”

Petrino, the current head coach at Arkansas and former head man of Louisville and the Atlanta Falcons, spent his college years earning a pair of All-American Honorable Mention selections as a Saints quarterback under his father and longtime Carroll coach Bob Petrino, Sr. in the early 1980’s.

Bobby also took his first coaching position as a graduate assistant at Carroll in 1983 and later twice led the Saints’ offense to the top of the NAIA as offensive coordinator.

“Bobby talked about his time here a lot and, of course, his family has a rich history here at Carroll College, so I’ve heard about that,” Quinn said. “Whenever I go somewhere new, I look for any connection I can get to try to figure out who they are and what they do and why they do it. So, I’ve been thinking lately about Bobby Petrino and those stories.”

Quinn is also enjoying a Petrino-like quick rise through his early coaching positions, taking over the head spot at MNU this season after one year as quarterbacks coach and the past two as offensive coordinator.

As for Nelson Stadium itself?

“No surprises at all,” Quinn said. “It’s a fantastic facility, great grass turf and generally an outstanding stadium. That’s special to see at the NAIA level.”

The Pioneers play in a similar natural turf facility back home in Olathe, Kan., though their Pioneer Stadium holds roughly 1,400 spectators to Nelson’s 5,000.

The only surprise Quinn found upon arrival was a positive one – the dry, mild weather.

“It’s actually colder in Kansas City,” Quinn said. “Well, (Friday) it is — we’ll see if that holds ... This has been a blessing for us. It should be a pretty day tomorrow, and there shouldn’t be any excuses for anybody.”

Trent Makela: 447-4085 or trent.makela@helenair.com