Connect with us

Football

Monken top candidate for West Virginia, UNC openings

As the candidate lists narrow down in the two Power Four head coach openings, Army’s Jeff Monken remains a prominent name.

Black Knight Nation has learned Monken is a top candidate at West Virginia. Monken and West Virginia have met recently to discuss the opening, we are told.

Monken is also being strongly considered for the North Carolina opening. If North Carolina can’t come to terms with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Monken would be the next to be offered, according to a source.

Monken has led Army to a 11-1 record and the American Athletic Conference championship in the academy’s first season in the conference. He was named the league’s coach of the year.

Army has spent the majority of the season in the Associated Press and Coaches polls, rising as high as No. 16 in the AP. The Black Knights were 22nd in the final College Football Playoff, receiving their first CFP ranking in school history.

Monken was asked about having his name mentioned for FBS coaching openings during his Monday press conference ahead of Saturday’s Army-Navy game.

“It just comes with the territory,” Monken said. “I’ve been here 11 years and this isn’t the first go-around. This isn’t the first time my name has popped up. That’s what happens when coaches are successful.

“That’s just the way it is. I’m glad because that means we are winning.”

Related Topics
3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Andrew Meredith

    December 10, 2024 at 1:46 PM

    This is the nature of the game, sadly. Monken is a tough sell at a Power 4 program and will likely initially be an unpopular pick at either WV or NC…but we all know he’ll prove doubters wrong. I doubt he gets hired this season because the booster networks at NC and WV are so influential, but I could be wrong. If it happens, though, I really think ripping Ken Niumatalolo away from San Jose State wouldn’t be terrible. Always liked him and felt he got a raw deal at the end of his Navy tenure.

    Reply

    • Scott

      December 10, 2024 at 7:47 PM

      Andrew,

      You’re right about success creating demand.
      Coach Monken is a good, no nonsense coach. Need a guy to clean up your football program and instill discipline, then he is your guy.
      I wonder though, will Mo Ken want to have to deal with NIL and the portal at another school. But, if money is grease, some school might wave a big enough check to get Coach’s attention.
      I hope Monken stays at Army. He has had a good run there, helping us to forget “the lean years” and the curse of Greenspan.

      Reply

  2. Jim Stuteville

    December 10, 2024 at 9:29 PM

    We have been down this road before and Coach Monken is still performing miracles at Army! If he finally gets an opportunity to take over a P4 program, best wishes from all of us. He deserves the chance to bring his talents to a P4 program to see what he can accomplish. We will miss him and his family, and should be thankful we had them for 11 years! Hire Mike Viti to replace him!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Football