There’s nothing bigger than college football rivalries. Players embrace the emotion from diehard fans; where county lines can be there difference between friend or foe and bragging rights are at their highest value. Yet perhaps there’s no greater rivalry in any sport than between Army and Navy. The two military academies have played each other 125 times leading into Saturday’s matchup; and at the head of it for the Army Black Knights is head coach Jeff Monken.
Army Football: Who is Jeff Monken?
Like many football coaches, Jeff Monken began his career in the sport as a player. He attended Millikin College (D3) and played football as a wide receiver. He also lettered twice as a track and field athlete. Monken would graduate in 1989, and eventually be inducted in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in October 2013. After graduating from Millikin, Monken pursued his master’s degree at Hawai’i, and was a graduate assistant on the football program.
Coaching Career
At Hawai’i, Monken met Paul Johnson, who was the offensive coordinator at the time. After a few stints as a position coach, Monken reunited with his Johnson, now the head coach at Georgia Southern, to be the running backs coach. With the Eagles, Monken coached a unit that led the nation in rushing yards twice, was top-5 in each season under his tutelage, and won two FCS National Championships.
When Johnson left to take the Navy head coaching job, Monken was brought on as part of the staff. With Navy, Monken was both the special teams coordinator and the slotback/running backs coach. With the Midshipmen, Monken helped the program achieve five consecutive Commander-in-Chief trophies and bowl appearances.
Monken’s final coaching stint before becoming a head coach was at Georgia Tech, once again following the aforementioned Johnson who took the head coaching position. There, he continued special teams and running back duties, and the program won an ACC Championship (which was later vacated).
That’s when Monken decided to take his own shot at being a head coach. In 2010, he accepted a position to become Georgia Southern’s head coach. At Southern, Monken posted a 10-win season in his first three years. He held a 38-16 mark with the program through his tenure, and helped spearhead the program into FBS play. And, despite a 7-4 record in his final year, Monken’s Eagles were able to upset the Florida Gators in Gainesville. His rushing attack’s success continued, too. Under Monken, Georgia Southern held the NCAA rushing title in 2012. And, he would coach the program’s first NFL prospect, J.J. Wilcox (safety), a third-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.
From Southern, Monken took the job to be Army’s football coach in 2014. He’s risen the program from the ashes, and has posted a 88-62 record in 12 seasons. Monken is a big reason Army joined the American conference, and the program won the conference title in their inaugural year in the league in 2024.
As a coach, Monken has accumulated multiple awards. In 2018 he won the George Munger Award and the Vince Lombardi Coach of the Year. He also won the ECAS Division I FBS Football Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2024. And, in his first year in the American Conference, he won Coach of the Year honors.
Balancing Two Lives
It goes without saying that coaching is a full-time job – and then some. Coaches put in obscene hours into each week preparing their team for their upcoming opponent. Because of that, time is incredible important to Army head coach.
Jeff Monken has his days planned out meticulously at West Point. He begins his days exercising and helping pack lunches for his two daughters. Then, he walks to his office before meeting the team’s chaplain to discuss life, current events, and other ideas to get his mind off of football.
“It’s great for me to have a friend that I don’t have to talk shop, talk football with,” he said. “I try to find those outlets when I can.”
After that discussion, it’s back to business for Monken. He holds an hour-long staff meeting discussing injuries, travel plans (if an away game), team practices, and more. From there, he hosts the offensive staff meetings where he goes through film, with his coaches and listening to their input. The Army head coach understands the importance of every person doing their job, and he tries to help as much as he can from a leadership perspective.
Once offensive meetings are done, Monken meets with his special team’s coordinator. Considering his expertise as a ST coach, Monken considers it an important part of the position.
Then, the coach gets a slight break. If his oldest daughter is available, he will FaceTime her to keep in touch. He gets lunch, and then it’s right back into work mode for the Black Knights’ leader.
Between team meetings, prep, and practice, Monken makes sure a minute isn’t wasted. In fact, he is so meticulous that he gets irritated when coaches have to explain drill-work during practices to players. And, it’s hard to blame him with how much time and effort is put into the planning process. Yet, that hard approach doesn’t stop him from taking the time to make sure his cadets know that he is in their corner.
“Always be visible and always be available,” Monken said. “That’s really important.”
Yet, the imperfect nature of this line of work isn’t lost on Monken, either. The balance between family and work is important, but it’s one he’s struggled with. Monken wasn’t able to attend a single volleyball game of his daughter’s for two years because of the timing of the games interfered with work. He also missed his youngest’s first home game of the year, because he was 500 miles away playing East Carolina. However, that hasn’t stopped the coach from trying to sneak time in when he can.
“When I can be there, I try to be there,” Monken said. “If I can manipulate the schedule, I’ll manipulate the schedule … I want to be there for them. It’s important to me. Maybe more important to me that I’m there than it is to them. But I want to be there. We miss a lot of things.”
Time is precious, and Monken knows it. And his attention to detail maximizing each moments has led him to be not just a good coach, but a role model for those engages with on a daily basis.
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