Air Force heads to Mountain West Football Media Day in Las Vegas
7/8/2024 1:53:00 PM | Football
Head Coach Troy Calhoun, seniors Camby Goff (DB), Brandon Engel (WR) representing Falcons
Air Force will participate in the 2024 Mountain West Football Media Day at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., July 9-11. Head Coach Troy Calhoun, along with senior defensive back Camby Goff and senior wide receiver Brandon Engel will represent the Falcons.
The Air Force football media guide, along with updated 2024 roster are both available online at GoAirForceFalcons.com.
FALCONS CONTINUE TO BE AMONG ELITE ACADEMICALLY
The Air Force football team ranked ninth nationally in Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2023 with a score with a 992, according to the NCAA's latest multiyear NCAA Division I scores. This is the program's 12th straight year in the top 10. Air Force led the nation in 2019 with a 997 and was second in 2018 with a 993. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship (recruited and on varsity roster for non-scholarship schools). The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
2024 SCHEDULE FACTS/FIGURES
• Air Force has two open weeks in this year's schedule (Sept. 21, Oct. 26) for the first time since 2019.
• Air Force begins a two-game series with Baylor, visiting Waco, Texas, Sept. 14. The Bears visit Falcon Stadium Sept. 18, 2027.
• Air Force plays two Power 5 teams (Baylor, Oregon State) in the regular season for the first time since 2006 when the Falcons played at No. 11 Tennessee and No. 8 Notre Dame visited Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force opens the season Aug. 31 vs. Merrimack. The game is one of the highlights of Parent's Weekend, which is a campus-wide celebration. Parent's Weekend is the first time family gets to see their freshman cadets since the began Basic Cadet Training in June. This season is the 18th straight that the Falcons have opened at home. The last time Air Force played on the road the opening weekend was in 2006, at No. 11 Tennessee.
• Air Force plays both service academy games on campus sites this season. Navy visits Falcon Stadium Oct. 5, while the Falcons play at Army Nov. 2, making their first trip to West Point since 2020. Air Force and Army played in the Commander's Classic in Arlington, Texas, in 2021 and 2022 and at Empower Field at Mile High last season.
• Air Force is back to six home games in 2024. The Falcons played five last season after playing seven in 2022.
NEW-LOOK FALCONS IN 2024
• Air Force returns just four starters on offense and defense in 2024. The Falcons return one starter on offense and three on defense. The Falcons lost all five starting offensive linemen, plus the tight end, along with its starting backfield (QB, FB, RB).
• Air Force returns only 20.5 percent of its rushing output in 2024, losing its top three and five of its top seven leading rushers.
• Air Force returns only 14.8 percent of its passing output, losing its leading passer and three of its top four overall.
• Air Force returns just 27.8 percent of its total tackles output, losing 520 of its 720 total tackles, including its top six tacklers.
Category Lost Returning Pct. Ret. Total in 2023
Rushing 2,910 750 20.5% 3,660
Passing 949 164 14.8% 1,105
Tackles 520 200 27.8% 720
AIR FORCE 40-12 LAST FOUR SEASONS
• Air Force is 40-12 the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force was 9-4 last season and finished 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019.
• The Falcons are 23-9 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force was 5-3 last season and finished tied for fourth. The team was 5-3 and finished second in the Mountain Division in 2022. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark in 2021 and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
CALHOUN SERVING AS POSITION COACH, AGAIN
Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun will be serving as a position coach again this season, coaching the fullbacks for the third straight season. He coached wide receivers in 2021 before his stint with the fullbacks. He is one of just eight FBS coaches to serve as a position coach this season.
Name, School, Position
Blake Anderson, Utah State, Offensive Coordinator/QBs
Dave Aranda, Baylor, Inside Linebackers
Troy Calhoun, Air Force, Fullbacks
Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech, Quarterbacks
Willie Fritz, Houston, Special Teams
Billy Napier, Florida, Quarterbacks
Troy Taylor, Stanford, Quarterbacks
Kyle Whittingham, Utah, Kickers/Punters
CALHOUN EARNS INAUGURAL LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM AOG
Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun (class of 1989) as one of three recipients of the inaugural Leadership Achievement Award by the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. Calhoun was joined by former Falcon football player Chris Howard (class of 1991) and Col. (Ret.) Kim Campbell (class of 1997). The award recognizes Academy graduates who has distinguished themselves through professional accomplishments, whether in the military or private sector. Recipients model the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.
ONLY IOWA HAS LONGER STREAK
Air Force has had just two head coaches the last 41 years, as Troy Calhoun enters his 18th season leading the program in 2024. He replaced the legendary Fisher DeBerry, who led the program for 23 years from 1984 to 2006.
Iowa is the only other program in the nation with just two coaches during that span. The Hawkeyes have had just two head coaches in the last 46 years. Hayden Fry led the program for 20 years from 1979 to 1998 before current head coach Kirk Ferentz, who is in his 26th season, took over in 1999.
THIESSEN LONGEST TENURED OC
Air Force offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen enters his 18th at Air Force overall and 13th as offensive coordinator in 2024. Thiessen is the longest-tenured offensive coordinator in the nation.
Thiessen was a two-sport standout at Air Force, earning letters in football and baseball. The 2001 graduate was a freshman All-American in baseball in 1998 and a third-team honoree in 2000. Drafted by Arizona in 2001, Thiessen is the all-time Air Force record holder in hits, games, runs, doubles, total bases and walks. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 while leading Air Force to a 9-3 overall record. He was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Thiessen's offenses have won nine conference rushing titles and ranked among the nation's top five 11 times in his previous 12 seasons. The Falcons became just the second team to win three straight national rushing titles, winning the title from 2020-22.
COACHING STAFF LONG ON EXPERIENCE
The Air Force coaching staff is long on experience. Head Coach Troy Calhoun is in his 18th season. Strength and condition coach Matt McGettigan and offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen joined Calhoun in his first season in 2007. Slotback coach Jake Campbell and defensive coordinator Brian Knorr are each in their 13th season on the staff. Offensive line coach Steed Lobotzke is in his 10th season.
The coaching staff features 10 Air Force Academy graduates: Calhoun (1989), Campbell (1996), assistant head coach Charlie Jackson (2000), Knorr (1986), inside linebackers coach Ken Lamendola (2011), Lobotzke (1992), defensive line coach Alex Means (2013), specialist coach Brett Skene (2011), Thiessen (2001) and defensive assistant Anthony Wright (2012).
The Air Force football media guide, along with updated 2024 roster are both available online at GoAirForceFalcons.com.
FALCONS CONTINUE TO BE AMONG ELITE ACADEMICALLY
The Air Force football team ranked ninth nationally in Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2023 with a score with a 992, according to the NCAA's latest multiyear NCAA Division I scores. This is the program's 12th straight year in the top 10. Air Force led the nation in 2019 with a 997 and was second in 2018 with a 993. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship (recruited and on varsity roster for non-scholarship schools). The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
2024 SCHEDULE FACTS/FIGURES
• Air Force has two open weeks in this year's schedule (Sept. 21, Oct. 26) for the first time since 2019.
• Air Force begins a two-game series with Baylor, visiting Waco, Texas, Sept. 14. The Bears visit Falcon Stadium Sept. 18, 2027.
• Air Force plays two Power 5 teams (Baylor, Oregon State) in the regular season for the first time since 2006 when the Falcons played at No. 11 Tennessee and No. 8 Notre Dame visited Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force opens the season Aug. 31 vs. Merrimack. The game is one of the highlights of Parent's Weekend, which is a campus-wide celebration. Parent's Weekend is the first time family gets to see their freshman cadets since the began Basic Cadet Training in June. This season is the 18th straight that the Falcons have opened at home. The last time Air Force played on the road the opening weekend was in 2006, at No. 11 Tennessee.
• Air Force plays both service academy games on campus sites this season. Navy visits Falcon Stadium Oct. 5, while the Falcons play at Army Nov. 2, making their first trip to West Point since 2020. Air Force and Army played in the Commander's Classic in Arlington, Texas, in 2021 and 2022 and at Empower Field at Mile High last season.
• Air Force is back to six home games in 2024. The Falcons played five last season after playing seven in 2022.
NEW-LOOK FALCONS IN 2024
• Air Force returns just four starters on offense and defense in 2024. The Falcons return one starter on offense and three on defense. The Falcons lost all five starting offensive linemen, plus the tight end, along with its starting backfield (QB, FB, RB).
• Air Force returns only 20.5 percent of its rushing output in 2024, losing its top three and five of its top seven leading rushers.
• Air Force returns only 14.8 percent of its passing output, losing its leading passer and three of its top four overall.
• Air Force returns just 27.8 percent of its total tackles output, losing 520 of its 720 total tackles, including its top six tacklers.
Category Lost Returning Pct. Ret. Total in 2023
Rushing 2,910 750 20.5% 3,660
Passing 949 164 14.8% 1,105
Tackles 520 200 27.8% 720
AIR FORCE 40-12 LAST FOUR SEASONS
• Air Force is 40-12 the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force was 9-4 last season and finished 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019.
• The Falcons are 23-9 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force was 5-3 last season and finished tied for fourth. The team was 5-3 and finished second in the Mountain Division in 2022. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark in 2021 and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
CALHOUN SERVING AS POSITION COACH, AGAIN
Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun will be serving as a position coach again this season, coaching the fullbacks for the third straight season. He coached wide receivers in 2021 before his stint with the fullbacks. He is one of just eight FBS coaches to serve as a position coach this season.
Name, School, Position
Blake Anderson, Utah State, Offensive Coordinator/QBs
Dave Aranda, Baylor, Inside Linebackers
Troy Calhoun, Air Force, Fullbacks
Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech, Quarterbacks
Willie Fritz, Houston, Special Teams
Billy Napier, Florida, Quarterbacks
Troy Taylor, Stanford, Quarterbacks
Kyle Whittingham, Utah, Kickers/Punters
CALHOUN EARNS INAUGURAL LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM AOG
Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun (class of 1989) as one of three recipients of the inaugural Leadership Achievement Award by the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. Calhoun was joined by former Falcon football player Chris Howard (class of 1991) and Col. (Ret.) Kim Campbell (class of 1997). The award recognizes Academy graduates who has distinguished themselves through professional accomplishments, whether in the military or private sector. Recipients model the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.
ONLY IOWA HAS LONGER STREAK
Air Force has had just two head coaches the last 41 years, as Troy Calhoun enters his 18th season leading the program in 2024. He replaced the legendary Fisher DeBerry, who led the program for 23 years from 1984 to 2006.
Iowa is the only other program in the nation with just two coaches during that span. The Hawkeyes have had just two head coaches in the last 46 years. Hayden Fry led the program for 20 years from 1979 to 1998 before current head coach Kirk Ferentz, who is in his 26th season, took over in 1999.
THIESSEN LONGEST TENURED OC
Air Force offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen enters his 18th at Air Force overall and 13th as offensive coordinator in 2024. Thiessen is the longest-tenured offensive coordinator in the nation.
Thiessen was a two-sport standout at Air Force, earning letters in football and baseball. The 2001 graduate was a freshman All-American in baseball in 1998 and a third-team honoree in 2000. Drafted by Arizona in 2001, Thiessen is the all-time Air Force record holder in hits, games, runs, doubles, total bases and walks. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 while leading Air Force to a 9-3 overall record. He was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Thiessen's offenses have won nine conference rushing titles and ranked among the nation's top five 11 times in his previous 12 seasons. The Falcons became just the second team to win three straight national rushing titles, winning the title from 2020-22.
COACHING STAFF LONG ON EXPERIENCE
The Air Force coaching staff is long on experience. Head Coach Troy Calhoun is in his 18th season. Strength and condition coach Matt McGettigan and offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen joined Calhoun in his first season in 2007. Slotback coach Jake Campbell and defensive coordinator Brian Knorr are each in their 13th season on the staff. Offensive line coach Steed Lobotzke is in his 10th season.
The coaching staff features 10 Air Force Academy graduates: Calhoun (1989), Campbell (1996), assistant head coach Charlie Jackson (2000), Knorr (1986), inside linebackers coach Ken Lamendola (2011), Lobotzke (1992), defensive line coach Alex Means (2013), specialist coach Brett Skene (2011), Thiessen (2001) and defensive assistant Anthony Wright (2012).
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
DB
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