Ryan Kershaw celebrates after the Knights win the
MIAC Postseason Playoff Championship
during the 2022-23 season.
Head Coach Coach Ryan Kershaw
Record at School/Years: 74-34 (.685) - four seasons
Career Record: Same
Phone: (507) 222-5856
Email: rkershaw@carleton.edu
Ryan Kershaw is the 12th head coach in program history as he was promoted to the position in 2022 following 11 years as an assistant coach at Carleton, the final three as associate head coach. Kershaw ranks 33rd among NCAA Division III men’s basketball coaches with a .685 career win percentage (74-34).
In their first season under Kershaw's direction, the Knights went 24-4 (.857) overall, breaking the program record for victories in a single year. Carleton was 17-3 in conference action, winning the 2022-23 MIAC's regular-season title by four games and earning him the league's Coach of the Year Award. This was the 20th conference title in program history but the first outright crown since 1965-66. The Knights then claimed the MIAC Playoff Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. Along the way, Carleton received its first-ever top-25 national ranking from D3hoops.com. Kershaw joined Guy Kalland (2005-06) as the only Carleton men's basketball coaches to earn the NABC's Region Coach of the Year Award.
Carleton has qualified for the MIAC Playoffs in each season under Kershaw's direction, including a return trip to the MIAC Championship game in 2025.
Since Kershaw took over the program, the Knights have earned eight All-MIAC selections — including MIAC Offensive Player of the Year Luke Harris ’25 — with five others receiving All-Conference Honorable Mention and two MIAC Rookies of the Year. Carleton players have collected six All-Region awards, including All-American Jeremy Beckler ’23, who became the first Carleton men's basketball player selected to participate in the NABC Division III All-Star game and was a Jostens Trophy finalist. As an assistant coach, Kershaw worked with former Knight Freddie Gillespie, who was one of two former NCAA Division III players to play in the NBA during the 2021-22 season.
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. He also spent time as an assistant coach at both of those schools.
Assistant Coach Tyler Grey
Phone: (507) 222-5458
Email: tgrey@carleton.edu
Tyler Grey joined the Knights as the lead assistant for the Knights in 2022. Prior to his time at Carleton, Grey spent the previous eight years at the University of St. Thomas in athletic administration, where he served in various roles including marketing, communications, event management and sport administration. Previous to his time at St. Thomas, Grey logged two years as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College, where he spent four seasons as a member of the Gusties basketball program and helped his team to four MIAC Playoffs appearances, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament during his senior season. One of the top three-point shooters in the MIAC during his playing career, Grey finished fourth in the conference in three-point field goal percentage during his senior season (41%) and led the Gusties with a 46/14 assist-to-turnover ratio.
“Tyler is a future head coach. He is closely involved in every facet of our program and has excellent basketball acumen and interpersonal skills. We are very fortunate to have Tyler, his wife Abby and their children Elsie and Hudson as part of our program” said head coach Ryan Kershaw.
In addition to his role at St. Thomas, Grey has also spent time coaching on the AAU basketball scene, as he served as a head coach for the Wear Out the Net Program. He graduated from Gustavus in 2012 and earned his master's degree in sport management from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2014. Grey also serves as an assistant sports information director at Carleton.
Assistant Coach Steve Knutson 
Email: stevekhoops@gmail.com
Steve Knutson ’01 was named to the Knights coaching staff in 2022. A four-year letter winner with the Knights during his time as a Carleton student, Knutson finished his career as one of the top three-point shooters in school history. During his junior season, Knutson finished third in the MIAC in three-point makes (65) while shooting a team-best 39% from behind the arc. As a senior, Knutson’s 2.8 assists per game total was ranked 10th in the conference.
Knutson has served as a skills trainer, high school scout, and youth basketball coach over nearly a decade with the Northfield and Chanhassen youth basketball associations. He currently serves as a head coach in the Northfield Youth Travel Basketball Association.
“Steve is a trusted confidant and integral member of our coaching staff and program. He is a tremendous basketball mind and excels in his ability to relate to the student-athletes in our program on a daily basis. He brings incredible value to our program each day and we are lucky to have him at Carleton” said head coach Ryan Kershaw.
An economics major, Knutson currently works as an actuary and is a Senior Director for Optum Health.
