Army Source confirms: The US Army has agreed to extend the contract of head coach Jeff Monken through 2027, at a cost of an average $2 million per annum. Sports Illustrated. ESPN and Yahoo Sports were the first to report on this news.
Army has been in talks to potentially join the American Athletic Conference There is positive momentum towards that decision, even though no deal has yet been made. A source cautioned that Army’s contract extension with Monken and talks with the AAC are two separate decisions, and not directly linked.
Monken had the opportunity to leave his program in recent years. However, there was one major obstacle: his offensive style. Previously, the Black Knights had won using an under-center flexible bone offense. It had become something of a scarlet letter for Monken’s job prospects, as decision makers at other schools apparently have been reluctant to hire him because of how a so-called option coach would play among fans and donors.
Monken stuck to the traditional option, believing it gave Army’s best chance at winning. Army won 66% in the last six seasons including two seasons with double-digit wins and two other nine-win campaigns.
But an NCAA rule change regarding players blocking below the waist and outside of the tackle box forced Army, in Monken’s mind, to abandon the offense in favor of a more shotgun-based attack, a move profiled in the offseason by Sports Illustrated. The new offensive allows Army to eliminate run-pass plays, while maintaining many of its traditional roots.
So far it’s working. After a season opening loss to Louisiana-Monroe, Army shutout FCS Delaware State The team scored 37 points on Saturday. UTSA. The Black Knights registered over 450 yards of total offense, two 100-yard rushers, no turnovers/sacks/penalties, went 6-for-6 on fourth down, and had only two snaps under center (the victory formation to close out the game).
With Monday’s move, Army has made it clear the program would like Monken and his new-look offense to stick around for a few more years.
