2020 Army Black Knights football team
The 2020 Army Black Knights football team represents the United States Military Academy in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Black Knights are led by seventh-year head coach Jeff Monken and play their home games at Michie Stadium. They compete as an independent.
2020 Army Black Knights football | |
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Conference | Independent |
2020 record | 0–0 |
Head coach | Jeff Monken (7th season) |
Offensive coordinator | Brent Davis (7th season) |
Offensive scheme | Triple option |
Defensive coordinator | Nate Woody (1st season) |
Base defense | 3–4 Multiple |
Captain | Mike Johnson Sandon McCoy Amadeo West |
Home stadium | Michie Stadium (Capacity: 38,000) |
2020 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Army | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BYU | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liberty | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Mexico State† | – | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UConn† | – | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UMass† | – | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Previous season
The Black Knights finished the 2019 season with a record of 5–8, finished in third place for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy following losses to Air Force and Navy, and missed out on a bowl for the first time since 2015.
Preseason
Offseason
Coaching changes
Following the completion of the 2019 season, reports surfaced that a staff shake-up was coming at Army. On December 20, reporter Pate Thamel of Yahoo Sports initially reported that John Loose would be moved out of the defensive coordinator position to assistant head coach and that wide receivers coach Marcus Edwards would not return to the staff.[1] On December 21, former beat reporter Sal Interdonato, now with Black Knight Nation, confirmed Thamel's information and added that defensive line coach Kevin Lewis and outside linebackers coach Matt Hachmann, both of whom joined the Army staff for the 2019 season, would not be returning in 2020.[2]
This was confirmed on January 2, when Nate Woody was announced by head coach Jeff Monken as Army's new defensive coordinator (DC).[3] He had previously spent the 2019 season as a defensive analyst for Michigan, helping the Wolverines to edge out Army in double overtime. Prior to that he was the defensive coordinator under Monken-mentor Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech in 2018, the DC at Appalachian State from 2013-2017 during their transition into the FBS, and the DC at Wofford from 2000-2012, who were fellow SoCon members with Jeff Monken-coached Georgia Southern. Included in the news of Woody's hire was that former DC John Loose would be elevated to Assistant Head Coach in addition to serving as a position coach.
On January 8, Troy announced that they had hired away assistant strength and conditioning (S&C) coach Rusty Whitt to be the new head football S&C coach for the Trojans.[4] Whitt had joined the Black Knights' staff for the 2019 season following nine seasons as the head S&C coach at Louisiana and Texas Tech.
On January 10, Keith Gaither was announced as the new wide receivers (WR) coach.[5] He had previously served as the WR coach at Army in 2015 and 2016 before moving on to be the passing game coodinator/WR coach at East Carolina. Gaither spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons at ECU before being let go with the rest of Scottie Montgomery's staff. He spent the 2019 season as the WR coach at Western Michigan.
On January 16, Sal Interdonato and Black Knight Nation reported that inside linebackers coach Kevin Corless, who had been on the Army staff since Monken's first year in 2014, would not be returning for the 2020 season.[6] Additionally, he reported that Greg Gasparato was expected to join the defensive staff. This was confirmed two days later on January 18 when Gasparato was officially announced as the newest Army defensive assistant coach, with his specific position duty to be announced at a later date.[7] Gasparato previously spent the 2018-2019 seasons as the safeties coach for Appalachian State and the 2015-2017 seasons as the inside linebackers coach at Wofford.
On January 20, the West Point Athletic Department announced the retirement of quarterbacks (QB) coach Mitch Ware following a 35-year career, the past six of which were spent with the Black Knights.[8] On the same day, Cody Worley was announced as the new QB coach for Army.[9] Worley came to the Black Knights following six years (five seasons, 2015-2019) as the QB and B-backs coach for Kennesaw State during that program's creation and very rapid success at the FCS-level.
On January 24, two new assistant coaches were announced by head coach Jeff Monken: Shiel Wood as a defensive assistant and Saga Tuitele as the offensive line (OL) coach.[10][11] Wood joined the staff after spending the 2019 season as the inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for Georgia State. Prior to that, he spent the 2018 season with Woody at Georgia Tech as the safeties coach and the previous eight seasons at Wofford in various capacities including a year as DC. Tuitele joined the Black Knights staff after spending the previous four seasons as the OL coach and run game coordinator for New Mexico. Prior to that he spent seven seasons with Cal Poly as the OL coach and offensive coordinator and the 2007 and 2008 seasons as the OL coach at Army.
On January 28, it was announced that offensive analyst Matt Drinkall would be promoted to tight ends (TE) coach, replacing Sean Saturnio who would be shifted back to special teams coordinator to cover for Mike Krysl's leaving to join Arkansas.[12] With these announcements, all of the core assistant coach positions on staff were covered, with the only exception being the specific position group announcements for coaches Gasparato, Loose, and Wood.
On February 11, the team roster was updated to show the position responsibilities for the new defensive hires as well as some responsibility shifts. John Loose, formerly the DC, was put in charge of the outside linebackers (OLB). Greg Gasparato, one of the new hires, was put in charge of the safeties (S). Shiel Wood, another new hire, was put in charge of the inside linebackers (ILB). Finally, Josh Christian-Young, the previous year's safeties coach, was put in charge of the nickelbacks.
On March 19, it was announced that former Army assistant coach and player Mike Sullivan was hired as the new Director of Recruiting.[13] He spent a 17-year career as a coach in the NFL, serving as an offensive coordinator (New York Giants '16-'17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers '12-'13), assistant coach, and quality control analyst. Before that he served two stints as an assistant coach at Army, coaching the linebackers from 1995-1996 and the defensive backs from 1999-2000. He graduated from West Point in 1989 and played defensive back while at the academy.
On April 1, it was announced that Tenarius "Tank" Wright was hired as the new defensive line coach, coming to the Black Knights after spending two seasons as the Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning at Michigan.[14] A 2012 graduate of Arkansas, where he played from 2008-2012, he was hired following the opening of an assistant coach position due to the departure of nickelbacks coach Josh Christian-Young to Tulane on March 3.[15]
There were several other departures from the support staff during the first half of the year: Defensive Quality Control Analyst Rick Lyster left to serve as the outside linebackers coach at Fordham;[16] Assistant Director of Recruiting Operations Devon Doyle was hired by Coastal Carolina to serve as their Director of Recruiting;[17] and Jim Collins (Director of Player Personnel), Lawrence Scott (Director of Player Development), and Brett Moore (Director of On-Campus Recruiting) all stepped down from their positions. To replace these departures, several support staff were hired: John French was hired as the new Offensive Quality Control Analyst; Al Ades was hired as the new Defensive Quality Control Analyst; Brandon Reyes and Blair Vaughan were hired as new Assistant Strength and Conditioning coaches; Joe Manion was hired as the new Director of Recruiting Operations; Greg Svarczkopf was hired as the new Director of On-Campus Recruiting; Rob De Los Santos was hired as the Director of Content Marketing/Recruiting Assistant; and former player and 2013 graduate Raymond Maples was hired as the new Director of Player Development. Following these hires, Monken's 2020 staff changeover was completed.
Spring session and summer camp
The spring season, normally consisting of 14 practices and the Black and Gold Spring Game, was cancelled on March 16 following the collective decision of the Patriot League presidents and superintendents to cancel all spring sports due to the Covid-19 pandemic.[18] The Corps of Cadets did not return from spring break and completed the rest of their semester virtually from home, with only the firsties returning in June to attend graduation. In an interview, Coach Monken said the team was able to meet virtually with their assistant coaches to check on their mental well-being as well as go over "X's and O's."[19]
The team returned to West Point in the latter half of June to attend the Summer Term Academic Program, complete required military training, and begin team summer workouts. The 77-strong plebe class (43 from USMAPS) reported for Reception Day from July 12-14.[20] On August 6, padded practices for fall camp began and it was announced that firstie offensive lineman Mike Johnson, firstie fullback Sandon McCoy, and firstie linebacker Amadeo West were selected as the 2020 team captains.[21]
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released.
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Wuerffel Trophy[22] | Joe Stephenson | LB | SR |
Personnel
Coaching staff
Name | Position | First year position | First year Army | Alma Mater |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jeff Monken | Head Coach | 2014 | 2014 | Millikin |
Offensive staff | ||||
Brent Davis | Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line | 2014 | 2014 | Georgia |
Matt Drinkall | Tight Ends | 2020 | 2019 | Western Illinois–Quad Cities |
Keith Gaither | Wide Receivers | 2020 | 20201 | Elon |
Saga Tuitele | Offensive Line | 2020 | 20202 | Portland State |
Mike Viti | Fullbacks | 2016 | 2016 | Army |
Tucker Waugh | Slotbacks | 2015 | 20073 | DePauw |
Cody Worley | Quarterbacks | 2020 | 2020 | Furman |
Defensive staff | ||||
Nate Woody | Defensive Coordinator | 2020 | 2020 | Wofford |
Daryl Dixon | Cornerbacks | 2019 | 2016 | Florida |
Greg Gasparato | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties | 2020 | 2020 | Wofford |
John Loose | Assistant Head Coach/Outside Linebackers | 2020 | 20144 | Ithaca |
Shiel Wood | Inside Linebackers | 2020 | 2020 | Wofford |
Tank Wright | Defensive Line | 2020 | 2020 | Arkansas |
Special teams staff | ||||
Sean Saturnio | Special Teams Coordinator | 2020 | 2014 | Hawaii |
Quality control staff | ||||
John French | Offensive Quality Control | 2020 | 2020 | Kentucky |
Al Ades | Defensive Quality Control | 2020 | 2020 | Michigan |
Strength and conditioning staff | ||||
Scott Swanson | Director of Strength & Conditioning | 1998 | 19985 | Wake Forest |
Conor Hughes | Head Football Strength & Conditioning | 2019 | 2017 | Springfield (Mass.) |
Colin Kenyon | Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning | 2019 | 2019 | Merrimack |
Brandon Reyes | Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning | 2020 | 2020 | West Florida |
Blair Vaughan | Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning | 2020 | 2020 | Western Kentucky |
GC Yerry | Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning | 2019 | 2019 | Stony Brook |
Support staff | ||||
Clayton Kendrick-Holmes | Chief of Staff/Director of Football Operations | 2018 | 2018 | Navy |
CPT Zachary Reichert | Assistant Director of Football Operations | 2019 | 2019 | Army |
CPT Blake Powers | Admissions Support Officer | 2018 | 2018 | Indiana |
Ray Maples | Director of Player Development | 2020 | 2020 | Army |
Mike Sullivan | Director of Recruiting | 2020 | 19956 | Army |
Tanner Dupuis | Assistant Director of Recruiting/Content | 2019 | 2019 | Georgia Southern |
Joe Manion | Director of Recruiting Operations | 2019 | 2019 | Saint Joseph's |
Danny Payne | Director of Scouting | 2017 | 2017 | Kennesaw State |
Rob De Los Santos | Director of Content Marketing/Recruiting Assistant | 2020 | 2020 | East Stroudsburg |
Greg Svarczkopf | Director of On-Campus Recruiting | 2020 | 2020 | Indiana |
Jack O'Reilly | Director of Video Operations | 2018 | 2018 | Clemson |
Michael Zeoli | Assistant Director of Video Operations | 2017 | 2017 | William Paterson |
- Keith Gaither also served as the wide receivers coach at Army from 2015 to 2016
- Saga Tuitele also served as the offensive line coach at Army from 2007 to 2008.
- Tucker Waugh also served as the wide receivers coach at Army from 2000 to 2004.
- John Loose also served as the linebackers coach at Army from 1992 to 1999.
- Scott Swanson also served as an assistant strength & conditioning coach at Army from 1995 to 1996.
- Mike Sullivan also served at Army as the defensive backs coach from 1999 to 2000 and the linebackers coach from 1995 to 1996.
- Source:[23]
Roster
The Army football roster for 2020 summer camp (as of July 23, 2020):[24]
2020 Army Black Knights roster | ||||
Quarterback
Slot Back
Fullback
Wide Receiver
Long Snapper
|
Tight End
Offensive Lineman
Defensive Lineman
Punter
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Linebacker
Defensive Back
Kicker
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Schedule
Army had games scheduled against Bucknell, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Oklahoma, Princeton, UConn, and UMass, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25][26][27][28][29][30]
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 5 | Middle Tennessee | ||||
November 7 | Air Force |
| CBSSN | ||
November 14 | at Tulane | ||||
November 21 | Georgia Southern |
| |||
December 12 | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Navy |
| CBS | |
TBD | at Rice | ||||
|
- Schedule Source:[31]
Game summaries
Middle Tennessee
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
First meeting |
1 | 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Blue Raiders | 0 | ||
Black Knights | 0 |
at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
- Date: September 5, 2020
- Game time: TBA
- ESPN – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Army Black Knights Preview[32]
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | MTSU | ARMY |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
3rd down efficiency | ||
4th down efficiency | ||
Plays–yards | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Air Force
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
16–37–1 | 2019 | AF, 17–13 |
1 | 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | ||
Black Knights | 0 |
at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
- Date: November 7, 2020
- Game time: TBA
- ESPN – Air Force Falcons at Army Black Knights Preview[33]
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | AF | ARMY |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
3rd down efficiency | ||
4th down efficiency | ||
Plays–yards | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
at Tulane
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
9–12–1 | 2019 | TLN, 42–33 |
1 | 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Black Knights | 0 | ||
Green Wave | 0 |
at Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA
- Date: November 14, 2020
- Game time: TBA
- ESPN – Army Black Knights at Tulane Green Wave Preview[34]
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | ARMY | TLN |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
3rd down efficiency | ||
4th down efficiency | ||
Plays–yards | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Georgia Southern
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
First meeting |
1 | 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Eagles | 0 | ||
Black Knights | 0 |
at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
- Date: November 21, 2020
- Game time: TBA
- ESPN – Georgia Southern Eagles at Army Black Knights Preview[35]
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | GASO | ARMY |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
3rd down efficiency | ||
4th down efficiency | ||
Plays–yards | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
vs. Navy
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
52–61–7 | 2019 | NAVY, 31–7 |
1 | 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Midshipmen | 0 | ||
Black Knights | 0 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
- Date: December 12, 2020
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
- TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) & Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
- ESPN – Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen (121st Army-Navy Game) Preview[36]
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | NAVY | ARMY |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
3rd down efficiency | ||
4th down efficiency | ||
Plays–yards | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
at Rice
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
4–4–1 | 2019 | ARMY, 14–7 |
1 | 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Black Knights | 0 | ||
Owls | 0 |
- Date: TBA
- Game time: TBA
- ESPN – Army Black Knights at Rice Owls Preview[37]
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | ARMY | RICE |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
3rd down efficiency | ||
4th down efficiency | ||
Plays–yards | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Source for Match-up Records:[38]
References
- Pete Thamel (December 20, 2019). "Sources: Staff shake-up coming at Army. They'll be a..." Twitter.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- Sal Interdonato (December 21, 2019). "Coaching Staff Update". Black Knight Nation. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Nate Woody Named Army Defensive Coordinator". USMA Athletic Department. January 2, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Rusty Whitt Tabbed Troy Football Strength & Conditioning Head Coach". Troy Athletic Department. January 8, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Army Welcomes Back Keith Gaither as its Wide Receivers Coach". USMA Athletic Department. January 10, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- Sal Interdonato (January 16, 2020). "Coaching Staff Update: Corless not returning, Loose's position duty". Black Knight Nation. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Greg Gasparato Added to Army Defensive Staff". USMA Athletic Department. January 16, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Mitch Ware Announces Retirement". USMA Athletic Department. January 20, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Cody Worley Named Army Quarterbacks Coach". USMA Athletic Department. January 20, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Shiel Wood Added to Army Football Defensive Staff". USMA Athletic Department. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Saga Tuitele Named Army Offensive Line Coach". USMA Athletic Department. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Saturnio Named Special Teams Coach; Drinkall Elevated to Tight Ends Coach". USMA Athletic Department. January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Sullivan Named Football's Director of Recruiting". USMA Athletic Department. March 19, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Tank Wright Joins Football Staff as Defensive Line Coach". USMA Athletic Department. April 1, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Fritz Adds Former Assistant and Player, Christian-Young as Defensive Backs Coach". USMA Athletic Department. March 3, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Rick Lyster hired as OLB Coach". Fordham University Athletic Department. May 13, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Devon Doyle Coaching Bio". Coastal Carolina University Athletic Department. May 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Patriot League to Cancel Spring Practices and Games". USMA Athletic Department. March 12, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Players Adapt to Virus Disruption". USMA Athletic Department. April 10, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Football Welcomes the Class of 2024". USMA Athletic Department. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "2020 Football Captains Named". USMA Athletic Department. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "The Wuerffel Trophy 2020 Watch List (Non AP)". July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "2020 Army Black Knights Coaching Staff". USMA Athletic Department. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
- "2020 Football Roster". USMA Athletics Department. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- West, Jenna (July 8, 2020). "Ivy League to Postpone Fall Athletics, No Date Set for Return". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- "Patriot League Announces Decisions Surrounding Fall Sport Season". PatriotLeague.org. July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Army-Oklahoma Football Game Cancelled for this Fall". USMA Athletic Department. August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- "UConn Football Announces Cancellation of 2020 Season Due to Risks Associated with Covid-19". UConn Athletic Department. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- Silverstein, Adam; Patterson, Chip (August 8, 2020). "MAC becomes first FBS conference to cancel 2020 college football season for the fall". CBSsports.com. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- "Massachusetts Football Announces Cancellation of 2020 Season". UMass Athletic Department. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "2020 Army Black Knights football schedule". USMA Athletic Department. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Middle Tennessee at Army – Game Summary – September 5, 2020". ESPN. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Air Force at Army – Game Summary – November 7, 2020". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Army at Tulane – Game Summary – November 14, 2020". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Georgia Southern at Army – Game Summary – November 21, 2020". ESPN. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Army vs. Navy – Game Summary – December 12, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Army at Rice – Game Summary – September 12, 2020". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Profile of the Army Black Knights". Winsipedia. Retrieved December 27, 2019.