Darren Paige hired as Army running backs coach

Darren Paige is officially Army’s new running backs coach.

Army announced Paige’s hiring Wednesday. Paige was Cincinnati’s running backs coach the last two seasons. He helped the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoff semifinal in 2021. Cincinnati rushed for more 4,000 yards during his Paige’s two-year stint.

ESPN’s Adam Ritterberg was first to report the hiring.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Army brotherhood,” Paige said in a press release. “My family and I are so grateful for coach (Jeff) Monken and his staff for extending this opportunity to us.

“I am looking forward to building relationships with the current cadet-athletes and to hit the road to find more great young men and educating them on how great of an opportunity Army football is. I can’t wait to get started!”

Paige will lead Army’s running backs during an important and transitional time in the Black Knights’ offense. Army is moving to a shotgun with a single back predominantly over its previous fullback, two-slotback option scheme. In the past nine seasons under Monken, Army’s had an assistant coaches for fullbacks and slotbacks.

Paige’s experience includes coaching wide receivers at Eastern Michigan (2019-20), Stony Brook (2018), Holy Cross (2017) and Midwestern State (2013-16).