Army West Point Athletics
Monken Recognized as the Lombardi Coach of Year
January 08, 2019 | Football
HOUSTON, Texas – The Lombardi Foundation announced Tuesday that Army West Point head football coach Jeff Monken has been named the winner of its 2018 Vince Lombardi College Football Coach of the Year Award.
The award is focused on leadership skills and is based on more than just winning football games. It's biggest influences in deciding a winner are: doing the most with the least, overcoming adversity, creating and/or maintaining a successful environment, and playing by the rules with integrity, honor, and respect. The College Football Coach of Year honor is presented as part of the Lombardi Honors Program.
Monken led Army to consecutive Commander In Chief's trophy titles for the first time in program history (2017 & 2018) after defeating both Air Force and Navy. He also guided the Black Knights to back-to-back seasons with 10-plus wins for the first time in Academy lore.
The Cadets registered a program record 11 wins in 2018 and have won 13 games in a row at home to finish with their second-straight unbeaten season at Michie Stadium. The Black Knights closed out the year having won nine games in a row, which is the longest streak since nine-straight victories in 1996. For that feat Army became nationally ranked for the first time in 22 years.
Monken also became the first Army head coach to win three bowl games in his career, passing Jim Young who had two bowl victories.
This is Monken's second coach of the year honor after having won the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award last month.
Monken will receive his award during the Lombardi Honors and Gridiron Greats Gala event on Jan. 25th at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas.
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The award is focused on leadership skills and is based on more than just winning football games. It's biggest influences in deciding a winner are: doing the most with the least, overcoming adversity, creating and/or maintaining a successful environment, and playing by the rules with integrity, honor, and respect. The College Football Coach of Year honor is presented as part of the Lombardi Honors Program.
Monken led Army to consecutive Commander In Chief's trophy titles for the first time in program history (2017 & 2018) after defeating both Air Force and Navy. He also guided the Black Knights to back-to-back seasons with 10-plus wins for the first time in Academy lore.
The Cadets registered a program record 11 wins in 2018 and have won 13 games in a row at home to finish with their second-straight unbeaten season at Michie Stadium. The Black Knights closed out the year having won nine games in a row, which is the longest streak since nine-straight victories in 1996. For that feat Army became nationally ranked for the first time in 22 years.
Monken also became the first Army head coach to win three bowl games in his career, passing Jim Young who had two bowl victories.
This is Monken's second coach of the year honor after having won the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award last month.
Monken will receive his award during the Lombardi Honors and Gridiron Greats Gala event on Jan. 25th at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas.
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