Jeff Monken: A Thread

Rumors of Jeff Monken leaving Army have been circulating for the last two years. From Mississippi State to South Carolina, none have come to fruition but now there's a new rumor: Vanderbilt. According to some reporters, Monken is a serious candidate there.

Vanderbilt recently recently fired head coach Derek Mason and are looking for the right man for the job. Ordinarily, Power 5 programs don't feel like they can compete with a Triple Option offense. A few things are different with Vanderbilt:

1st, they have no delusions of competing. They're just happy to be part of the club and they realize that teams like UCF could make a better SEC team.

2nd, between Saban And Jimbo, the SEC has been getting much more option-y and while it's not the TO, maybe Monken can adapt.

2 reasons why I don't think a Monken hiring will happen at Vanderbilt.

1. Attendance
Before Covid, in 2019, Vanderbilt averaged 26,431 fans in their 40,350 seat stadium. They're lacking in attendance and need a way to bring in fans. Even if Monken goes there, he's still...

...looking at a recruiting disadvantage compared to other SEC teams. So what's going bring more fans? A few extra wins? Or not having triple option offense? Let's face it, like most of the SEC, the Vanderbilt faithful probably don't want to watch the Commodores pass for 48.0 ypg.

2. Money
Vanderbilt has a balanced athletics budget. They profit exactly $0. To be fair, that's better than a lot of schools. And is worth much much more in advertising.
With the most conservative estimates, Derek Mason was to be paid about $2.5M/year for at least 3 more years.

Thats $7.5M at least. As Vanderbilt is private, the exact buyout terms are not known, but we know that Vanderbilt is in the hole a little right now. And that doesn't include Covid losses. To buyout Jeff Monken after this season would cost in the neighborhood of $4-5M.

While his contact is private it's likely a little over $1M/year through 2024. And he owes everything he would be paid if he leaves. Let's put this in context. When Vanderbilt hired Mason, they had just received a $1.5M check from Penn St. for James Franklin. So they were +$1.5M.

They used some of that per year to pay for Mason's $2.5M contract. Now, they're already in the hole and they'd have to buyout Army for around $4-5M and that doesn't even include Monken's salary. So because of that and Covid losses, I don't know if they can offer Monken the...

$2.5M/year they gave Mason. So would Monken get a pay bump? Yes. Will it be enough for him to leave the most stable head coaching job he'll likely ever have? Tough to say, but I'd guess no. Plus, I don't know how well the Commodores will take to the intensity of Uncle Jeff.

Frankly, I don't think he'll leave for Vanderbilt. I hope Jeff Monken is Army's coach for the next 30 years and gets 300 wins with Army. But I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again. And while Vanderbilt is no Auburn, the Tigers just took a $22M hit to fire Gus.

If he leaves (For Vanderbilt, Illinois or anyone else), I will be a huge fan of whatever team he coaches because Army fans owe him the world. But for now, #BEATnavy

We love you coach!