Army West Point Athletics
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Saturnio Named AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year
December 12, 2024 | Football
WACO, TEX.-- The American Football Coaches Association is proud to announce its 2024 Assistant Coach of the Year winners and Army's Special Teams Coordinator, Sean Saturnio has been named the FBS Assistant Coach of the Year.Â
Saturnio is in his 11th year as an assistant under Head Coach Jeff Monken for the Army Black Knights and in his sixth year as special teams coordinator. He is a long-standing member of the AFCA who was a finalist for this award in 2021 and 2022. Saturnio has participated and led a group of Army football players to participate, work, and lead in a Special Olympics event every spring on the grounds of West Point. Saturnio routinely mentors and guides players in their faith, often hosting them over at his house on Post.Â
This season, his special teams units have been highlighted by two blocked field goals by LB Elo Modozie and senior K Trey Gronotte, who is a perfect 50-for-50 on PATs. Under Saturnio, Army has blocked 11 punts in each of the last five seasons and has a total of 21 blocked punts and field goals, which is the most in the country in that span.Â
One assistant coach from the five divisions of college football were selected for their dedication to their teams and communities. A total of 67 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA were nominated in 2024. The winners are selected by the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Committee.
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The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.
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The 2024 honorees are as follows:
FBS–Sean Saturnio, Special Teams Coordinator, Army West Point
FCS–Don Dobes, Defensive Coordinator, Dartmouth College
Division II–Roy Thompson, Jr., Defensive Coordinator, Ouachita Baptist University
Division III–Cody Baethke, Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs, Coe College
NAIA–Michael Jones, Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, Florida Memorial University
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The criterion for the award is not limited to on-field coaching ability or the success of the team and the players whom these assistant coaches work with. Service to the community through charitable work and other volunteer activities, participation in AFCA activities and events, participation in other professional organizations and impact on student-athletes are all considered in the selection process.
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Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate their recognition. They will be honored Sunday, January 12, during the 2025 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Saturnio is in his 11th year as an assistant under Head Coach Jeff Monken for the Army Black Knights and in his sixth year as special teams coordinator. He is a long-standing member of the AFCA who was a finalist for this award in 2021 and 2022. Saturnio has participated and led a group of Army football players to participate, work, and lead in a Special Olympics event every spring on the grounds of West Point. Saturnio routinely mentors and guides players in their faith, often hosting them over at his house on Post.Â
This season, his special teams units have been highlighted by two blocked field goals by LB Elo Modozie and senior K Trey Gronotte, who is a perfect 50-for-50 on PATs. Under Saturnio, Army has blocked 11 punts in each of the last five seasons and has a total of 21 blocked punts and field goals, which is the most in the country in that span.Â
One assistant coach from the five divisions of college football were selected for their dedication to their teams and communities. A total of 67 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA were nominated in 2024. The winners are selected by the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Committee.
Â
The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.
Â
The 2024 honorees are as follows:
FBS–Sean Saturnio, Special Teams Coordinator, Army West Point
FCS–Don Dobes, Defensive Coordinator, Dartmouth College
Division II–Roy Thompson, Jr., Defensive Coordinator, Ouachita Baptist University
Division III–Cody Baethke, Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs, Coe College
NAIA–Michael Jones, Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, Florida Memorial University
Â
The criterion for the award is not limited to on-field coaching ability or the success of the team and the players whom these assistant coaches work with. Service to the community through charitable work and other volunteer activities, participation in AFCA activities and events, participation in other professional organizations and impact on student-athletes are all considered in the selection process.
 Â
Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate their recognition. They will be honored Sunday, January 12, during the 2025 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Players Mentioned
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