Mike Houston Of East Carolina, Jeff Monken Of Army West Point The Next Head Coach Of Duke?
Mike Houston was introduced as East Carolina’s 22nd head coach on December 4, 2018 and immediately began a rebuilding process that has already produced the highest win total for an ECU coach in their first two seasons since 2010-11 and reached notable milestones on offense, defense and special teams in each campaign.
While navigating his program through a pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a lineup that featured 37 different starters (including 21 first-timers), Houston's focus never wavered from establishing a physical game plan that resulted in the Pirates' highest rushing average (173.8) in 13 years and Top 25 national rankings in turnovers forced (18) and fumbles recovered (eight). Additionally, four ECU players earned All-American Athletic Conference honors with one also securing AAC Rookie-of-the-Year accolades - a first in program history.
In 2019, East Carolina eclipsed the 400-yard mark offensively on six occasions with a balanced unit that stood 22nd nationally in passing yards per game (288.8 ypg) and turned in its highest ground total (1,696 yards) since 2014. Defensively, the Pirates forced at least one turnover in 11-straight contests - the program's longest streak since a 14-game run in 2009. Lastly, his special teams squad established a new school single-season standard with 24 field goals made, which included a record-breaking 13 consecutive three-pointers from Oct. 3 to Nov. 23.
“according to Mike Houston’s biography on ecupirates.com”
Jeff Monkon has an 85-55 career record as a head coach and a 49-39 mark at Army West Point. The Black Knights have enjoyed success over the past five seasons with a .674 winning percentage, including four wins over Air Force, four wins over Navy (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020) and three bowl-game victories (2016, 2017, 2018). Monken led the Cadets to yet another impressive season in 2020, posting a 9-3 record including rivalry wins over both Navy and Air Force. Army was led by the nation’s top defensive unit, as the Black Knights ranked first in the FBS in Total Defense, allowing only 275.3 yards per game. The Blak Knights also ranked in the country’s top 5 in scoring defense (2nd - 14.83 ppg), red-zone defense (2nd - .645 scoring pct.) and passing yards allowed (2nd - 160.8 ypg).
On the offensive side of the ball, Army displayed one of the most successful and diverse rushing attacks in the country thanks to Monken’s triple-option scheme. The Cadets totaled over 250 rush yards in seven contests, including 441 vs Ablileine Christian (Oct.3) and 439 vs. Lousiana-Monroe (Sep. 12). Those marks were good for the 6th and 7th highest totals in a single game in the FBS during the 2020 season, respectively. Paced by a balanced rushing attack, the Cadets dominated time-of-possession over their opposition in 2020, holding the ball for an average of 34 minutes per game.
The 2020 season started strong, as the Black Knights defeated Middle Tennessee State, 42-0, in the season opener, the first Army shutout since blanking Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., 21-0, on Nov. 4, 2017. The 42-0 victory was Army’s largest shutout victory over an FBS school since 1963, when it defeated Wake Forest, 47-0. In the 2020 version of America’s Game, Army’s defensive unit held Navy’s rushing attack to just 108 yards, the least amount of rushing yards by the Mids since 2001. The 15-0 shutout of Navy was the first time since Nov. 29, 1969, that Army shut out the Mids. The 2020 Commander-in-Chief Trophy Champions also climbed into the national rankings throughout the season, twice finding themselves in the AP Top 25 (22nd- Weeks 3-4). The Black Knights’ was just the fourth time since 1970 that Army won at least six games in its first seven tilts. Monken coached a number of players to postseason honors in 2020 including USA Today Second-Team All-American Jon Rhattigan.
The 2019 season featured five wins for the Black Knights which was ranked amongst the best in the nation once again. Since the start of the 2016 season, Army is averaging a nation’s best 327.8 yards per game on the ground. The Blacks Knights own the best third down conversion rate dating back to the 2010 season, converting 813-of-1,711 third downs (47.5 percent).Army averaged 297.2 rushing yards per game (3rd nationally) in 2019 and had 3,863 net rushing yards total (3rd). The Black Knights’ 45 rushing scores were tied for second in the nation, while their 5.2 yards per rush was 17th. The Cadets had three plays go for 80 or more yards (all touchdowns) in 2019, which finished tied for the nation’s lead.
Army had 19 rushes of 30 or more yards this season, good for a tie for sixth in the nation. It finished tied for 12th in 40-plus rushes (9), 13th in 10-plus yard rushes (93), and tied for 17th in 20-plus (28). The Black Knights were fifth nationally in passing defense (178.9), tied for 27th in fumble recoveries (10), 27th in first downs allowed (234) and 30th in total defense (342.3). West Point was eighth nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (38.2) and 12th in fewest penalties per game (4.6). Army is now 17-2 in its last 19 games played at Michie Stadium dating back to the 2016 season. This 2019 season marked Army’s fourth consecutive winning season at home. The Cadets’ 3,863 yards on the ground this season is good for sixth in program history. Since taking over as head coach in 2014, Monken and his teams own four of the top six single season rushing marks in program history. In the VMI win, Army finished with 594 rushing yards, good for third most in program history and the most since Nov. 18, 1989 vs. Colgate.
Army’s defense held UMass to 125 total yards, a program record for the fewest allowed to an FBS opponent. UMass was limited to just 19 yards in the second half. The Black Knights held the Minutemen to 26 rushing yards on 26 attempts, the fewest since allowing 10 to Lafayette on Oct. 15, 2016.
In 2018 Monken led the Cadets to a historic year as his squad became nationally ranked in early November for the first time in 22 years (1996). They remained in the Top-25 throughout the rest of the season and finished ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press Poll and No. 20 in the Amway Coaches Poll. The year was highlighted by a program-record 11 wins, marking the first time in Academy history the Black Knights registered 10-plus wins in back-to-back seasons. Army also won the Commander In Chief’s trophy in consecutive seasons for the first time in program lore, while also garnering the Lambert Trophy for the first time in 60 years. The Black Knights became the first three-time winner of the Armed Forces Bowl as well that season after they routed Houston, 70-14, on Dec. 22. The 70 points put up by Army in that contest tied an FBS record for points scored in a bowl game. To cap the 2018 season, the Cadets won 13 games in a row at home and finished their second-straight season going unbeaten at Michie Stadium. They held five consecutive opponents to 14 or less points to end the year as well and finished 11-0 when leading at the half. Army closed the year ranked first nationally in third down conversion percentage (.571), fourth down conversion percentage (.861), and time of possession (38:33), while also sitting second in rushing offense with 312.5 yards per game.
Twelve cadet-athletes were named to the Phil Steele’s All-Independent Team, and Monken received national praise after winning the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award and the Vince Lombardi Award for National College Coach of the Year. He was also named a finalist for the Paul “Bear” Bryant and Eddie Robinson Awards for Coach of the Year. In 2017 Monken led Army to its most successful season in over two decades, earning 10 victories, the Commander in Chief’s Trophy and a victory in the Armed Forces Bowl. The Black Knights won the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision rushing title by averaging 362.3 rushing yards per game and finished with 50 rushing touchdowns, which broke the program record for a single season set a year prior. On the other side of the ball, Army was third in the nation in red zone defense and 14th against the pass. The Black Knights held opponents to 22 points per game and ended Air Force’s 306-game scoring streak with a 21-0 victory at Falcon Stadium. It was the first shutout against a service academy since 1969. The Black Knights were also rewarded for their success as the ECAC Division I FBS Team of the Year.
The 2016 season was a memorable one for the Black Knights under Monken. He led them to their first win over Navy since 2001 and a victory in a bowl game. The last time the Black Knights accomplished both feats in the same season was in 1984. Army was second in the nation in rushing offense and ran for a then Academy single-season 46 touchdowns, which eclipsed the 1945 national championship team. Defensively, Army was consistently in the Top-10 in total defense and closed out the year fourth in the nation.
In 2015, Monken coached Army to a pair of wins over Bucknell and Eastern Michigan. The Black Knights had five players reach 100 yards rushing in a game that year and had three different quarterbacks throw for 100 yards. Signal callers Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Carter ran and threw for 100 yards in their career debuts. Army won on the road for the first time since 2010 with a 58-36 win over Eastern Michigan as well. The Black Knights closed the season ranked 12th in the country in rushing offense at 244.3 yards per game. Linebacker Andrew King finished 21st in the nation in tackles for loss with an average of 2.1 per game and 26th in fumbles recovered with two.
In his first season at Army, Monken guided the Cadets to home victories over Buffalo, Ball State and Fordham, in addition to a dramatic win against Connecticut at Yankee Stadium. Under his guidance, running back Larry Dixon, linebacker Jeremy Timpf, defensive back Josh Jenkins and offensive lineman Matt Hugenberg earned 11 citations on postseason all-star teams. Two players, Joe Drummond and Dixon, competed in The Medal of Honor Bowl Game and East-West Shrine Game, respectively, as well. Army was fifth in the country in rushing offense at 296.5 yards per game in Monken’s inaugural season and sixth in fewest penalties per game with just 4.08 infractions per contest. He tutored a host of players who were listed in the national rankings as well. Timpf was seventh in the nation in solo tackles per game and 23rd in tackles per game. Jenkins was eighth in the country in blocked kicks and 33rd in interceptions per game, and both Lamar Johnson-Harris and Xavier Moss ranked 11th in punt return touchdowns. Dixon was nationally ranked in rushing yards per carry (30th), rushing yards (39th) and rushing yards per game (41st). With the Black Knights’ 47-39 win against Buffalo, Monken became the first head coach to win his first game since Bob Sutton did so in 1991 with a victory over Colgate. Prior to that, the last Army coach to win his first game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent was Ed Cavanaugh in 1980.
“according to his biography on goarmywestpoint.com”
Mike Houston of East Carolina, Jeff Monken Of Army the next Head Coach of Duke?
Right now I don’t the answer to that question!
What I do know is that Duke is searching for a new head coach!
Why?
Because Duke finished the season with a record of 3-9 0-8 in the Coastal Division Of The Atlantic Coast Conference and they parted ways with Head Coach David Cutcliffe after 14 seasons.
Mike Houston, Jeff Monkon have patterns of success at schools with tough academic requirements like would be faced at Duke.
Duke wants to have their new coach in place by December 15, 2021!
Why?
So that he can secure recruits by that day.
“according to an article on newsobserver.com by Stephen Wiseman”