Army-Navy Preview, Robert Griffin III and Army Head Coach Jeff Monken Join, plus Who's the Heisman?

Summary

Podcast Title: The Triple Option
Episode: Army-Navy Preview, Robert Griffin III and Army Head Coach Jeff Monken Join, plus Who's the Heisman?
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Guests: Jeff Monken (Army Head Coach)
Presented by: Wendy’s

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Introduction

In this episode of The Triple Option, hosts Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone delve into the highly anticipated Army-Navy game, a storied rivalry in college football. The episode features a special guest appearance by Jeff Monken, the second-winningest head coach in Army football history. Monken shares invaluable insights into the preparation, significance, and traditions surrounding this monumental matchup. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key points, memorable quotes, and the passionate discourse that underscores the importance of this rivalry.

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Meet Jeff Monken: Insights from the Second Winningest Army Coach

Timestamp: 32:08
Rob Stone introduces Jeff Monken, expressing his excitement and personal connection to the Army-Navy community. Monken reciprocates the enthusiasm, highlighting the camaraderie formed over shared visits to West Point and meaningful interactions that have strengthened their friendship.

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The Unique Intensity of the Army-Navy Rivalry

Timestamp: 33:44 – 34:48
Monken elaborates on the unparalleled intensity of the Army-Navy game. Unlike regular matchups, this rivalry carries immense weight for the players and institutions involved. Monken emphasizes that this is not "just another game," but a defining moment in the cadets' military and athletic careers.

Jeff Monken [34:48]: "More than anything our players do here in the four years that they're here, including graduating from West Point, there will be nothing that they are judged on more... than this game."

He explains that the rivalry is not only about football but also about instilling pride and a sense of duty in the cadets, making it a critical component of their development as future military officers.

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Preparation Amidst Challenges

Timestamp: 33:32 – 34:27
Monken discusses the unique challenges of preparing for the Army-Navy game, especially following participation in the conference championship game. The lack of extended preparation time heightens the pressure, but Monken remains confident in his team's ability to rise to the occasion.

Jeff Monken [34:27]: "Our guys, they're challenged every day, and I know they'll step up and rise to the right."

He underscores the importance of discipline, focus, and maintaining high execution standards to eliminate mistakes against a formidable Navy squad.

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Cultivating a Winning Culture and Rivalry Mindset

Timestamp: 35:34 – 36:17
The conversation shifts to how Monken indoctrinates first-year cadets into the significance of the rivalry. From day one, cadets are taught to prioritize "beating Navy," with constant reminders through campus signage and daily instructions to embed this goal into their mindset.

Jeff Monken [35:42]: "We do talk about the Rivalry. And we have signs up around campus in this building that say beat Navy. And so it's a constant reminder that that is a goal and it's important."

Monken stresses that this intense focus fosters a healthy competitive spirit, essential for building a resilient and motivated team culture.

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Understanding the Rivalry Beyond Football

Timestamp: 36:39 – 37:13
Host raises an insightful point about the broader relationship between Army and Navy, questioning the apparent hostility despite both being branches of the United States Armed Forces. Monken clarifies that the rivalry is strictly confined to the college football context, as the cadets are not yet serving together.

Jeff Monken [37:13]: "Once they graduate, then we're all a part of the United States Armed Forces... But until then, they're just college students and college football players."

He acknowledges the deep-seated competition but maintains that mutual respect exists between the institutions, reinforcing that the rivalry remains a defining characteristic of the game.

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Strategic Keys to Victory

Timestamp: 38:03 – 38:24
Rob Stone probes into the strategic elements crucial for Army to secure a win against Navy. Monken outlines his focus on minimizing errors and maintaining disciplined execution throughout the game.

Jeff Monken [38:24]: "The keys are to eliminate mistakes or to limit those as much as possible... Great fundamentals. You know, just good at blocking and tackling and taking care of the ball."

He emphasizes that both teams possess exceptional talent and determination, making it imperative for Army to control the game through flawless execution and mental toughness.

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Game Day Atmosphere and Community Engagement

Timestamp: 39:43 – 39:55
Monken reveals the electrifying atmosphere surrounding the game, noting that both Army and Navy full bragging rights will likely ensure a full house. The shared enthusiasm among cadets and the broader community transforms game day into a national event.

Jeff Monken [39:47]: "It is. Both student bodies will fill the stands."

Rob Stone shares his personal experience, highlighting the exceptional spirit and dedication observed among the cadets, which transcends typical game day excitements.

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Celebrating Victory and Handling Defeat

Timestamp: 42:45 – 43:57
Monken describes the team's approach to celebrating victories over Navy. Celebrations are both team-centric and personal, involving locker room festivities, family gatherings, and moments of reflection. Conversely, the emotional toll of the rivalry, whether in victory or defeat, is significant.

Jeff Monken [43:57]: "When we've won, I open up my phone and there's 500 text messages... It's just incredible to know how many people are paying attention."

He underscores the profound impact the game has on everyone involved, from players to families, reinforcing the deep emotional connections tied to this rivalry.

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The Significance of the Army-Navy Game in Monken's Career

Timestamp: 41:01 – 42:38
Monken recounts pivotal moments that underscored the importance of the Army-Navy game in his coaching career. Notably, the presence of high-ranking military officials at games, such as the Army Chief of Staff, serves as a testament to the game's prestige and its integral role within the military community.

Jeff Monken [41:20]: "The presence there spoke volumes about how important army football was to the Army."

These experiences have solidified his commitment to fostering a winning culture and honoring the legacy of this historic rivalry.

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Looking Ahead: Season Success and Future Goals

Timestamp: 44:04 – 44:36
As the season progresses, Monken reflects on the team's achievements and the critical importance of the upcoming game against Navy. With a strong record and a spot in the Independence Bowl against Marshall, Monken remains focused on clinching the victory that would cap off a successful season.

Jeff Monken [44:26]: "It's been a good year. It'll be a great year if we can get a win on Saturday."

He reiterates the significance of the Army-Navy game as the defining moment that will ultimately determine the success of the season.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Triple Option offers an in-depth exploration of the Army-Navy football rivalry through the lens of Jeff Monken, Army’s head coach. Monken’s insights into the preparation, cultural significance, and strategic imperatives for the upcoming game provide listeners with a profound understanding of what makes this matchup a cornerstone of college football. The passionate dialogue between the hosts and Monken underscores the enduring legacy and emotional weight that this game carries, not only for the players and coaches but also for the broader military community and fans alike.

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Notable Quotes:

• Jeff Monken [34:48]: "More than anything our players do here in the four years that they're here, including graduating from West Point, there will be nothing that they are judged on more... than this game."

• Jeff Monken [38:24]: "The keys are to eliminate mistakes or to limit those as much as possible... Great fundamentals. You know, just good at blocking and tackling and taking care of the ball."

• Jeff Monken [41:20]: "The presence there spoke volumes about how important army football was to the Army."

• Jeff Monken [43:57]: "When we've won, I open up my phone and there's 500 text messages... It's just incredible to know how many people are paying attention."

• Jeff Monken [44:26]: "It's been a good year. It'll be a great year if we can get a win on Saturday."

These quotes encapsulate the dedication, strategic focus, and deep-seated pride that characterize the Army-Navy rivalry, providing listeners with a glimpse into the mindset of a championship-caliber coach preparing his team for one of the most significant games of the year.

Transcript

[Coach]

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[Host]

To the triple option presented by usaa. We took a step off of media row for just a moment and we got to catch up with the second winningest head coach in arm history. Jeff Mungin joins us live right now. Coach, thanks for joining us. And by the way, Coach and Coach's wife are downright giddy that you were able to join us for this conversation.

[Coach]

Well, I'm excited as well. We've become good friends. And so, Coach, I'm glad to see you again.

[Rob]

Yeah, I think it was Nike Tripp is when we first started, I know we met years ago, but we started hanging out, you and Beth and Shelly and I. And then one of the great things I'm indebted to for the rest of my life because my son and I are army people, because my father, he invited us, Rob, to visit West Point and I to go with your son to West Point. Took a tour. The most amazing thing to tour that beautiful campus. And then he went up that and he invited Nate and I to Army Navy several years ago and we're going back. So, Coach, I'm indebted to you. I'm a big fan of yours. Congratulations on what a great season so far.

[Coach]

Thank you. I'm proud of our guys. They had a great week.

[Rob]

And then the one thing that Coach Monk and I'm going to turn over there, but I text him a lot. We text back and forth. At the end of the text, I always say he hits me if I forget. He gets after my ass a little bit.

[Coach]

Yeah.

[Rob]

I always say, beat Navy. And he'll say every day Every day.

[Coach]

That's right. That's fact. No one apologize for that either. Every day.

[Rob]

All right. What's work week like now? Obviously, you got cadets. We watched them. Their daily routine. Does it change at all for the. One of the greatest. Rob, you know, one of the great rivalries in all of sports.

[Coach]

No, really, we've got to. We got to prepare for this game like we do the others. The intensity and focus is. It's indescribable for this game. Our players, their players, just how keyed in everybody is. You know, this is. This is the first time since I've been here that we haven't had multiple weeks to prepare. Prepare for the game. So that's been a little different. But it was exciting. Opportunity to play in the conference championship game last Friday night and come off of that, and now I have to prepare for what is really the biggest game of the year. Is a little bit of a challenge. But our guys, they're challenged every day, and I know they'll step up and rise to the right.

[Rob]

Let me ask you this, coach, that. I've heard coaches say that it's just another game. I never treated it that way. I treated. When it was a rivalry game or. Because the players look at you like you're out of your mind. You know, I was very honest with our players to say it's not another. You know, when you play your rival, do you try to keep it just the same, or do you amp it, you know, or is it just different?

[Coach]

Oh, no, it's different. Yeah, it's different. It. More than anything our players do here in the four years that they're here, including graduating from West Point, there will be nothing that they are judged on more wow. Than this game. I. Wow. Oh, you graduated from West Point. What was your record against Navy? That. That. That. That will be the question for the rest of their life. So it is. It is just a source of pride and. And. And we can win that game and have the Commander Chiefs trophy. I mean, it's. It's awesome to experience that and to be on the other end of it is agonizing. I mean, it is. It is one of the worst feelings you can have as a competitor.

[Host]

Coach, how do you indoctrinate your first years into what this rivalry really is and what it means to the two institutions?

[Coach]

I think the first day when they show up and they are taught to say, beat Navy. After everything, every turn they make, every command, it is beaten into their brains that beating them is important. So we do talk about the Rivalry. And we have signs up around campus in this building that say beat Navy. And so it's a constant reminder that that is a goal and it's important. And it does. It matters. It matters here, and it matters in the army around the world.

[Host]

As a simple civilian over here, and I understand what Army Navy is, but on the outside, I look at it, coach, and I'm like, well, aren't you guys on the same side? Aren't we kind of on the same team here, right? Army and Navy and Air Force, like, we're all. We're all fighting the good fight together. So why is there this. This level of hostility between specifically army and Navy?

[Coach]

Well, none of our guys are working together with them yet. They won't do that until after they graduate. Once they graduate, then we're all a part of the United States Armed Forces, and they do have to work jointly and in cooperation with the other services. But until then, they're just college students and college football players. And this rivalry is deep and hated. And I assure you, there's nothing cordial about. About it. We have.

[Host]

What did, what did Navy do to. To piss you guys off so much?

[Coach]

They. They. They opened a school that. That was it. I mean, that's all it took. Rivalry was born. They challenged us to a game in 1890, and there. There it was. So it's. It's like every other rivalry. It. It. It is. It's two schools that want to win. They take great pride in. In their institutions and. And in the rivalry and winning the game. And so it is. It's a bitter rivalry. Rivalry. Like every other. We. We have great respect for their. For their institution, certainly for their branch of service, and I know they do ours. But it's okay to have a rival, and it's okay to. To. To hold some disdain in your heart for your biggest rival. That. That's healthy for a. A rivalry, I think.

[Rob]

So tell us a little bit about the game, the secrets. Obviously, this is too. I always tell people when I used to coach against academies, it's really hard, but it's really hard, you know, when you're not only going against Academy, but a great academy. These are two excellent football teams. One's 11 and one, one's eight and three. Tell me a little keys of the game in your mind to beat Navy.

[Coach]

The. The keys are to eliminate mistakes or to limit those as much as possible. It will be so closely contested and so intensely played from the opening kickoff to the very end. There'll be 11 guys out there just fighting each other as hard as they can. And so we can't make mistakes, we can't turn the ball over, we can't miss assignments, we can't have foolish penalties. The things that we can control, we've got to do a great job of controlling that, not allowing emotion to stand in the way of execution. So great fundamentals. You know, just good at blocking and tackling and taking care of the ball. The things that we always talk about in winning football games. But we got to do that at a really high level and do it really well, because the other team is going to do that well, too. And the want and the desire to win this game is never higher to win a football game than it is in this one. So it's just awesome to be a competitor in it, to watch those warriors out there battle and to be a part of it. It's truly incredible.

[Rob]

What percentage of the cadets will be at the game?

[Coach]

100%.

[Rob]

Is that amazing?

[Coach]

It is. Both student bodies will. Will fill the stands.

[Rob]

Oh, man. Rob, you're. You got to go to this. Rob.

[Host]

So good.

[Rob]

I'm getting shows right now. It's one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my lifetime. When you watch the middies and the cadets walk in and you. Our world has a lot of issues that day. There aren't any.

[Coach]

Yeah.

[Rob]

When I watch the men and women in these incredible academies, the way they look, the way they act, the way they support their team, and Jeff goes after that.

[Coach]

It's almost 9,000 young people that have made a commitment to serve this nation as military officers. And, you know, that's awesome. Just to have a generation of young men and women that are willing to make that pledge. And we've got men and women in this country that are taking that pledge every day at places around the country that young men and women are walking into recruiting centers and taking the oath and. And joining one of our branches of military service. So there's some great Americans out there that they're willing to stand in the gap between freedom and those that want to take it from us. And thank goodness there's Americans being born every day that are going to make that pledge.

[Host]

Coach, what was one of the opening moments in your career at West Point where you said, oh, being a part of this football program at army is different? I'm sure you knew it was different going in, but. But what was one of those moments where it was water in the face type thing?

[Coach]

Man, that's a. That's a great question. I think my. My opening Game here, the Army Chiefs of staff was there. That's a four star general just there to support the first game. And just his presence there spoke volumes about how important army football was to the Army. My first Army Navy game here. I mean the urban will tell you the sideline is just littered with uniforms with stars on it. And it means everything to our branch of service, this game and to win this game. So I mean just the magnitude of what this rivalry, this game means to people beyond this campus, that, that, that certainly got my attention. I think as an assistant coaching in this game. On the other, other sideline, you're conscious of it, but as the head coach, you're, you're introduced to all those people and they, they make sure that you take notice of, of those that are there to, to have presidents show up for the game and, and be there on the sideline, be there in the locker room. Those are, those are pretty incredible moments. Not, not very many Americans get to experience that.

[Host]

How do you celebrate a win over Navy? What do you allow your players to do?

[Coach]

Well, everybody celebrates in our own way. We, when we have won those games, we've gone into the locker room and celebrated together as a team. And then most of the players and coaches just join their families. There's been times where we've had the coaches get together at the hotel and just all the families and it's a chance to decompress and really just enjoy the moment. But frankly, the emotional exhaustion that I experience as a coach, that we experience as a coaching staff after that game, that it about knocks you out. And when we've won, I open up my phone and there's 500 text messages and when we don't, there's about five. So I try to answer them all either way but you know, it's, it's, it's just incredible to know how many people are paying attention, how many people that are, that are friends and loved ones that just want to support us. And so we usually order pizza from a local pizza shop and I sit up in the room with my family and we got extended extended family that comes to the games and we just, we just sit in there and, and, and enjoy it.

[Rob]

Well, you're a great friend, coach, and I'm pulling for you as always and give you a big hug on the game Saturday.

[Coach]

I'm looking forward to that as well.

[Host]

Eleven and one so far and already off to the Independence bowl versus Marshall. Does is the season a success? If you don't get the correct result on Saturday, don't ask that question, Rob.

[Rob]

Don't do that.

[Coach]

Well, it's. It's been a good year.

[Host]

There we go.

[Coach]

It's been a good year.

[Host]

It's been an amazing year. Coach of the year in the conference.

[Coach]

Making a great year. It'll be a great year if we can get a win on Saturday. It's been a good year so far, but a great year. You got to win this one.

[Host]

Understood? Yes, sir. Coach, thanks for joining us. Appreciate it.

[Coach]

All right, thanks again, guys. Beat Navy.

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