Air Force coach Troy Calhoun speaks to fans after his team beat Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl. (AP photo)
It turns out Air Force coach Troy Calhoun really meant what he said. Despite rumors he was a candidate for both the University of Colorado and Denver Broncos head coaching positions, he remains committed to his alma mater.
At a time when the head coaching carousel is at full tilt and coaches like new Maryland hire Randy Edsall will ditch his old team, Connecticut, without even the courtesy of an in-person goodbye, Calhoun is staying in Colorado Springs. His name has been replaced with everyone’s coach-of-the-hour Jim Harbaugh as the top candidate to take over the Broncos.
No longer do Google searches including Calhoun’s name have the latest coaching vacancy pop up with the Air Force coach as a rumored candidate. Too often, when a coach says he remains committed to a school it’s the kiss of death for that respective football program.
That’s why I took a wait and see approach after Calhoun and Air Force’s athletic director issued statements that Calhoun would stay at Air Force. Of course, immediately after posting this piece Calhoun’s name is going to come out of the Michigan athletic director’s mouth as the savior of The Big House. But as it stands now, Calhoun is an Air Force Falcon.
So kudos to you Calhoun, not necessarily for staying, but more so for sticking to your word and the players you have recruited to Air Force. Former Michigan coach Rich Rodriquez might have been wise to follow your lead and not keep trying to trade up. Sometimes there’s a lot to say for stability and not leaving players in the lurch (we’re looking at you Edsall).
