Actually Kershaw maintained and bolstered the momentum Carleton had going for them. Last season they finished 3rd (13-5) but got bounced by Macalester in the Quarters of the playoffs. The cupboard was pretty solid.
He was part of the building process as lead assistant and it has been taken for granted that he would be taking the helm, eventually, when Kalland stepped aside. Back in 2019-20, that team was primarily Freshman, I want to say 5 of the 7 players in the rotation. They struggled that year to begin with, went on a run in January but fell back, 1 game short of the Top 6/Playoffs.
I could tell they had a good nucleus to build around, but then then the next year was wiped out. A few left the program. Beckler and Page remain from that group. With the Harris (#14) arrival last year in the back court, the Knights were on their way. Good season last year, and I felt they were a threat to win the MIAC this year.
In a bit of irony, Kershaw is a St Olaf Alum.