As of February 18, 2025, the University of Alabama’s football program is under the leadership of head coach Kalen DeBoer, who succeeded the legendary Nick Saban. At the same time, the United States Military Academy at West Point is guided by head coach Jeff Monken, a position he has held since 2014. Both coaches have significantly impacted their respective programs, yet they operate within distinct environments and philosophies. This article explores the similarities and differences between Coach DeBoer and Coach Monken, examining their coaching careers, leadership styles, and the unique challenges they face.
Coaching Careers and Backgrounds
Kalen DeBoer
Kalen DeBoer began his coaching career as an offensive coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls, where he achieved remarkable success, including a national championship. His reputation for developing high-powered offenses led him to positions at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, and Fresno State. In 2023, DeBoer took over as head coach at the University of Washington, leading the Huskies to a successful season. His success at Washington caught the attention of Alabama’s athletic department, leading to his appointment as head coach in 2024. DeBoer’s tenure at Alabama marks a new era for the Crimson Tide, following the retirement of Nick Saban.
Jeff Monken
Jeff Monken’s coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at the University of Hawaii, followed by positions at Arizona State and the University of Buffalo. He then served as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator at the United States Naval Academy and later at Georgia Tech. In 2010, Monken became the head coach at Georgia Southern University, where he implemented the triple-option offense, leading the team to significant success. His success at Georgia Southern led to his appointment as head coach at Army West Point in 2014. Under his leadership, Army has experienced a resurgence, including a historic 12-win season in 2024.
Coaching Philosophies and Styles
Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer is known for his innovative offensive strategies, emphasizing a balanced attack that adapts to the strengths of his players. His offenses are characterized by a high tempo and a focus on exploiting mismatches. At Alabama, DeBoer has continued this approach, integrating advanced analytics and modern coaching techniques to maintain the program’s competitive edge. His ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of college football has been a key factor in his success.
Jeff Monken
Monken is renowned for his commitment to the triple-option offense, a system that emphasizes ball control, clock management, and a disciplined approach to the game. This philosophy aligns with the military ethos of discipline and precision. Monken’s teams are known for their physicality and resilience, often outperforming expectations against more athletically gifted opponents. His leadership is characterized by a focus on fundamentals, discipline, and a strong work ethic.
Leadership and Impact
Kalen DeBoer
Since taking over at Alabama, DeBoer has faced the challenge of maintaining the program’s elite status following the departure of Nick Saban. His leadership has been marked by a focus on player development, both on and off the field. DeBoer has emphasized the importance of academics, personal growth, and community involvement, aiming to produce well-rounded individuals who excel in all areas of life. His impact is evident in the continued success of the program and the development of players who are prepared for life beyond football.
Jeff Monken
Monken’s leadership at Army has been transformative, leading the Black Knights to a historic 12-win season in 2024 and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. His emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and resilience has instilled a strong sense of pride and commitment within the program. Monken’s impact extends beyond the field, as he has been recognized for his contributions to the development of young men into leaders both in the military and in civilian life.
Challenges and Opportunities
Kalen DeBoer
Taking over a program with the expectations of Alabama presents unique challenges. DeBoer must navigate the pressures of maintaining a championship-caliber team while adapting to the evolving dynamics of college football, including changes in recruiting, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) regulations, and conference realignment. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and growth, allowing DeBoer to leave his mark on the program and the sport.
Jeff Monken
At Army, Monken faces the unique challenge of balancing the demands of a rigorous academic and military environment with the competitive nature of college football. Recruiting student-athletes who can excel both academically and athletically requires a specialized approach. Despite these challenges, Monken has turned them into opportunities, building a program that emphasizes discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.
Comparison of Coaching Philosophy
While both Kalen DeBoer and Jeff Monken are successful leaders of their respective teams, their coaching philosophies are shaped by the environments in which they coach.
Alabama’s High-Pressure Environment (Kalen DeBoer)
DeBoer stepped into a legacy of excellence when he was appointed as the head coach of Alabama football in 2024. The pressure to maintain Alabama’s national prominence post-Saban is immense. Saban’s leadership was synonymous with success in the college football world, winning multiple national championships and shaping the modern dynasty. DeBoer has inherited a championship-caliber team, and as a result, the expectations for him are sky-high. His ability to develop quarterbacks, utilize the talent at his disposal, and recruit top-tier players is paramount to continuing the program’s success. Alabama’s offensive strategy under DeBoer is expected to align with modern trends in college football: utilizing advanced statistics, high-tempo offense, and incorporating a mixture of explosive plays and disciplined ball control. DeBoer’s prior success in implementing efficient and dynamic offenses at Washington is expected to continue to influence his approach at Alabama. However, the biggest test for him will be balancing innovation while respecting the traditions of a program defined by strong defensive play and a commitment to physicality.
Army’s Military Discipline (Jeff Monken)
In stark contrast, Jeff Monken operates under a completely different set of circumstances. Army football, while fiercely competitive, lacks the abundant resources and depth of talent available at major programs like Alabama. Monken’s philosophy revolves around maximizing the potential of his players, a focus on discipline, teamwork, and precision. As Army’s football program is deeply intertwined with the military ethos of West Point, Monken has crafted a style that mirrors the army’s values: strength, courage, resilience, and mental toughness. He has successfully implemented the triple-option offense, which is designed to control the tempo of the game, manage the clock, and create opportunities for his team to succeed with physical and methodical play.
The triple-option, while often criticized by some for its old-fashioned nature, has been a key component of Monken’s strategy to level the playing field against higher-profile teams with more superior athletes. The offense limits turnovers, controls the ball, and forces opposing defenses into a challenging situation where precision is key. Monken has found success with this style of offense, leading Army to competitive performances even against more resourceful programs. This coaching philosophy also reflects Monken’s ability to develop character in his players, turning disciplined student-athletes into physically prepared warriors on the field.
Leadership Style: Adaptation vs. Tradition
Kalen DeBoer’s Leadership at Alabama
Kalen DeBoer’s leadership style leans heavily on modern-day principles of coaching, which include adaptability, communication, and technology. His integration of analytics, in particular, is a testament to his progressive approach to the game. DeBoer understands that college football is evolving, and the landscape of the sport—especially with the rise of NIL and changing recruitment dynamics—requires coaches to be quick thinkers and decision-makers. His style encourages open lines of communication with players, staff, and administrators. DeBoer also prioritizes the development of players not only in terms of their football abilities but also in terms of their personal and academic growth. This holistic approach to coaching helps shape well-rounded individuals who can contribute to society long after their football careers are over.
Moreover, DeBoer’s tenure at Alabama has necessitated collaboration with other prominent coaches and professionals in the industry, as Alabama is an institution where innovation and constant reinvention are vital to maintain success. Thus, DeBoer has the task of balancing innovation with the traditions of a program that has defined college football for over a decade.
Jeff Monken’s Leadership at Army
In contrast, Monken’s leadership style is rooted in military tradition and discipline. The emphasis on teamwork, order, and mutual respect is crucial at West Point, where the academic and physical demands of life at the academy are extraordinary. Monken’s approach is based on creating a strong sense of responsibility among his players, cultivating leaders both on and off the field. His leadership encourages resilience and perseverance, qualities that are indispensable in Army football. While it may not have the flashiness of a major program, Army football under Monken has developed a culture of determination, toughness, and loyalty.
Monken also serves as an educator, instilling values in his players that align with both football and military life. This blend of sports and life lessons gives his leadership a deeper dimension, as the students at West Point understand that they are being prepared for leadership roles beyond football. This holistic approach to coaching has fostered a team atmosphere that thrives on unity, purpose, and hard work. For Monken, leadership is about instilling a mindset in his players that their individual success is directly tied to the collective success of the team.
The Recruitment Landscape: A Tale of Two Approaches
Kalen DeBoer’s Recruiting in Alabama
At a school like Alabama, DeBoer faces an entirely different set of recruiting challenges. The Crimson Tide’s program is a behemoth in the world of college football, with resources, facilities, and a reputation that attracts the country’s top high school prospects. DeBoer’s challenge is not in attracting talent, but in maintaining the program’s elite level of recruiting year after year. The key to his success will be utilizing cutting-edge technologies and strategies to identify top talent early, keeping a keen eye on both high school and transfer portal players. Additionally, the NIL landscape presents new challenges for DeBoer. While Alabama has been historically strong in securing top recruits, the financial incentives that come with NIL deals may change the recruiting game and require DeBoer to adapt to a new set of dynamics in college football.
Kalen DeBoer’s Ability to Balance Success with Ethical Responsibility
DeBoer will also have to ensure that recruiting remains ethical while competing at the highest level. As NIL contracts become more pervasive, navigating this space without falling into unethical practices will be a significant challenge. This will require DeBoer to reinforce the importance of academics, character, and long-term development in his recruiting pitches while still competing with the best of the best.
Jeff Monken’s Recruiting at Army
Recruiting at Army presents its own set of difficulties. The rigorous academic and military standards required to attend West Point limit the pool of available recruits. Monken, however, has excelled in identifying players who not only have athletic ability but also possess the mental toughness and academic qualifications required to thrive at West Point. He recruits players who may not have the raw talent that larger programs enjoy but who possess incredible determination and resilience. Army’s style of play also appeals to a certain type of athlete: those who want to make a lasting impact both on and off the field, serving a higher purpose.
While Monken does not have the same recruiting advantages as Alabama, he capitalizes on his program’s unique strengths. Army football is often seen as a stepping stone for players who want to challenge themselves and push their limits, making it an attractive destination for recruits who are looking for more than just a football career.