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  • Consistency And Shutting Down Navy Earns Monken An Extension With Army Football

Consistency And Shutting Down Navy Earns Monken An Extension With Army Football

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Football

(BCSNN) -- Army has made a major statement about the future of its football program. The Black Knights have rewarded head coach Jeff Monken with a new five‑year contract, a move that underscores just how dramatically he has transformed the program — and how committed Army is to keeping him.

Monken, entering his 13th season at West Point, has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in modern college football. Once a downtrodden program, Army now expects to win annually under his leadership.

Monken is 89–63 in 12 seasons, ranking second in program history behind Red Blaik (121 wins). He has led Army to six wins in their last 10 meetings with Navy, and 13 victories in the last 19 matchups against Air Force and Navy combined — a remarkable run in the Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy rivalry.

Before Monken arrived, Army’s previous five head coaches all left with losing records. The last coach to finish with a winning mark was Jim Young, who departed in 1990.

Monken’s résumé includes a 2024 American Conference championship, capped by a win over Tulane in the title game. Army finished that season 12–2, the first 12‑win campaign in school history. He has also guided the Black Knights to seven bowl appearances in the last 10 years, after inheriting a program with one winning season in the previous 17.

The new deal, which includes a raise, comes as Army continues to invest heavily in football. The school is nearing completion of the $170 million Michie Stadium Preservation Project, set to open this fall.

Army opens the season against Bryant, then hosts South Florida in Week 2 in a pivotal early American Conference matchup.

Before arriving at West Point, Monken thrived at Georgia Southern, going 38–16 and leading the program through its transition from FCS to FBS. The Eagles reached the FCS playoffs in all three seasons they were eligible under his leadership.

Army’s decision to lock in Monken for five more years signals confidence, stability, and ambition — and it’s hard not to be impressed by how far the Black Knights have come.