Coach -

Army is 6-0 and ranked 23rd in the country. What’s interesting is that they do not play by the same rules as the rest of college football. Players do not come to the academies through the Transfer Portal. In addition, service academy athletes are considered employees of the military branches they are affiliated with, and federal law prohibits military members from using their public office for personal gain which means there are no personal NIL deals. Obviously this applies to Air Force and #25 Navy as well.

At Army, Coach Jeff Monken has built a system that focuses on what truly wins games—efficiency, control, and minimizing risk. It’s not about flashy plays or outscoring opponents in track meet-style shootouts. Instead, the success of Army’s offense comes from two simple, powerful ideas: create explosive plays and eliminate negative yardage plays.

Big Plays Are a Bonus, But Control is King

Monken’s philosophy revolves around sustaining possession, chewing up the clock, and limiting opponents' opportunities. Sure, everyone loves the big 30-yard runs and deep passes that make the highlight reel. But at Army, those plays are viewed as icing on the cake.

The focus? Move the chains, maintain control, and play within the system. Monken says it perfectly:

"We’re as happy with a first down as we are with hitting a big play." - Jeff Monken

The goal isn’t to rely on home runs but to ensure the offense stays on schedule. Running the ball consistently keeps the clock ticking and the chains moving. Army’s grind-it-out style forces opponents to play fewer possessions, giving the Black Knights a distinct advantage in close games.

Minimizing Negative Plays—The Real Game Changer

When Coach Monken talks about negative yardage plays, you can tell that’s where his focus lies. This isn’t just talk. Army has led the nation in the fewest negative yardage plays, and Monken backs it up with a compelling stat:

71% of games are won by the team that commits the fewest negative yardage plays.

That’s why you won’t see Army throwing the ball often. As the saying goes, “Three things can happen when you pass, and two of them are bad.” 

Monken adds a third: a sack. When a quarterback goes down for a loss of 10 yards, that’s a huge setback—something Army's offense avoids by design. If they do have a negative play, it’s more likely a loss of one or two yards, rather than ten. Every decision, every snap, is made with the goal of keeping the ball moving forward.

A Blueprint for Success

This philosophy gives Army a unique edge. Teams may ask why they don’t pass more or open things up with trick plays. But Army stays true to its identity. By playing the long game—literally and figuratively—they’ve crafted a formula that frustrates opponents and wins games. It’s not about doing what’s popular; it’s about doing what works.

"We’ve won plenty of games without hitting five explosive plays. It’s nice to have them, but it’s not the goal."

– Jeff Monken

The takeaway? Stick to your strengths. Build an offense that limits risk, minimizes mistakes, and controls the clock. In an era when many offenses chase highlight moments, Army’s commitment to efficiency and discipline proves that small gains can lead to big wins.

Watch Coach Monken Share his philosophy in this video:

Video: 71% Games won

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Save on these Army Football clinic presentations and bundles:

Army Defense Bundle (67% off)

Cody Worley - Option Framework & QB Fundamentals (50% off)

Army OL Coach Matt Drinkall Bundle (65% off)

Army Special Teams Bundle (45% off)

Clayton Kendrick-Holmes - The Chief of Staff Role and Why You Need One (60% off)

Conor Hughes- Organization and Management of large teams in the weightroom (70% off)