Coaching Candidates: Troy Calhoun

At least he has the right last name for the job.

Currently the Head Coach at the USAF Academy, and also a graduate of the Academy. Calhoun served from 1989-95 as an active duty officer in the Air Force. He was the Falcons' recruiting coordinator and the junior varsity offensive coordinator in 1993-94.(See Tom O'Brien if you want to know what a former militaryman HC could be like, in terms of team discipline.)

He replaced Fisher DeBerry (a wofford grad) as the HC of the Falcons after 23 years. FD was a candidate for the Clemson job when DF was fired, by the way.

Calhoun took what was a bad team in FD's last 3 seasons (4-8 immediately before) to a 2nd place finish in the MWC in just one year, finishing the 2007 season 9-4 overall. The Falcons earned their first bowl bid in five seasons, advancing to the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. Calhoun was named MWC Coach of the year after that season. He is only the third MWC coach to do so in his first year, joining the likes of Urban Meyer. Calhoun was also a finalist for two different National Coach of the Year awards.


His resume;
2006: Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks, Houston Texans (6-10, up from 2-14 in 05)
2005: Assistant to Head Coach, Denver Broncos (AFC West title, 14-4 record, 5th ranked offense)
2004: Offensive Assistant/ Special Teams, Denver Broncos (5th ranked offense)
2003: Defensive Assistant, Denver Broncos (NFL's fourth-ranked defense, made playoffs)
2001-02: Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks, Wake Forest (Led ACC in Offense 2002)
1997-2000: Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks, Ohio University (QB was MAC player of the year. school records in rushing yardage and total YPG in 2000)
1995-96: Quarterbacks, Ohio University
1993-94: Recruiting Coordinator/ JV Offensive Coordinator, Air Force
1989-90: Graduate Assistant, Air Force

What offense does he run? Its a complicated spread option, though given the athletes Clemson has, I'd expect it to morph into a more pro-style set like what he ran in the NFL. Remember, USAF ran the Bone under DeBerry. Just go back to look at what Grobe ran at WF. During his second season at WF, they led the ACC in total offense with 408.1 yards per game. His offense committed only 16 turnovers to lead the ACC. The 2001 season culminated with a 38-17 bowl victory over Oregon, his home state. An article talking about the changes to the USAF offense is here.

He is only making $600,000 at Air Force, with a quarter million dollar buyout.

Recruiting? Hard to say, as USAF can't get great players and WF can't either. All I can say is that he wins with what he's got.

Will he leave? He's at his alma mater, thats always a factor. It could be his dream job, we just don't know. Someone is going to come after him however. AF ends their season this week.

Given his NFL experience and track record on the offensive side of the ball, I think Calhoun is a solid candidate.

It was reported that Mike Locksley was the one interviewed by TDP in Detroit. He is the current Illinois OC under Zook. He's a good recruiter but I don't see Clemson hiring him, and dont consider him a real candidate, so I'm not going to review him.