Loose Promoted to Defensive Coordinator

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point head football coach Jeff Monken announced Thursday that John Loose will take over as defensive coordinator full time after the departure of Jay Bateman.

Loose was interim DC during Army's Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl victory over Houston, in which the Black Knights held the Cougars to just 14 points while registering a program record 10 sacks.

"John's promotion to defensive coordinator is well earned," Monken said. "He is a great mentor and teacher and cares deeply about this program. He has continued to grow as a professional during his time here, and I am looking forward to seeing him in this new role after the performance of our defense in the bowl victory over Houston."

Loose is no stranger to the defensive coordinator position having been in that role at Lafayette College for 14 seasons, from 2000-13, and at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for three years from 1989-91.

Since making his second stop to the Banks of the Hudson in 2014, Loose has been at the forefront of the Black Knights' safeties. The last two seasons he helped guide a secondary that ranked 21st and 14th in the nation against the pass.

"Coach (Jay) Bateman did an unreal job here and I have learned a lot from him during the last five years," Loose said. "We have a tremendous staff at Army West Point, and Coach Monken is the best leader I have ever been around. I could not be more excited about this opportunity."

In 2018, Loose mentored junior Jaylon McClinton and senior James Gibson to the fourth and fifth most tackles on the team, respectively. McClinton accumulated 54 tackles, including 37 solo shots. The Charlotte, N.C., native added four tackles for a loss of 17 yards, one sack for a loss of nine yards, and two interceptions for 11 yards. He also registered six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Gibson did much of the same this past season, earning 41 total tackles with 25 of those being unassisted. The Centreville, Va., native tallied four tackles for a loss of 21 yards and two sacks for a loss of 11 yards. Gibson posted two pass breakups and one forced fumble as well.

The Black Knights were also eighth nationally in total defense allowing just 295.5 yards per game, while their third down conversion percentage defense was fourth in the country at 26 percent.

In 2017, Gibson was teamed up with then senior Rhyan England in the backfield. Gibson was instrumental in Army's success with 45 total stops, including a game-saving one against Eastern Michigan on a two-point conversion that sealed the Black Knights' victory over the Eagles. England missed a few games due to injury that year, but had 33 tackles and one fumble recovery. Max Regan, who saw significant time with England injured, made 33 stops along with a team-leading two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown in the 49-12 victory over Rice.

During the 2016 season, Loose tutored senior Xavier Moss and England to 57 and 53 tackles, respectively. The pair also had two interceptions on the year. Moss led the team with five pass breakups and had an interception and a forced fumble in the win over Navy.

Loose was a key leader on the defensive staff that year as he helped guide Army to fourth in the nation in total defense and sixth against the pass. Army improved from six interceptions in 2015 to 17 in 2016.

In 2015, Loose mentored Moss in his transition to the secondary after spending two seasons on the offensive side of the ball. Moss was third on the team with 67 tackles along with one interception and five pass breakups. England had 64 tackles in 2015 under Loose with three tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Loose was a track and field star at Ithaca College where he was an All-American in 1986 and a five-time NCAA qualifier in the high jump. At one time he held the school record at 6-feet, 10¼ inches. He earned four letters in indoor and outdoor track and field prior to his graduation in 1987. He earned a degree in physical education with a minor in Psychology.

Loose and his wife, Marianne, have two daughters, Lauren and Grace, and reside at West Point.

Army West Point Athletics

Loose Promoted to Defensive Coordinator

Players Mentioned

Rhyan England

James Gibson

Jaylon McClinton

Max Regan

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