Air Force Academy – New Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun put together the top end of his staff Tuesday, naming an assistant head coach and offensive, defensive and special-teams coordinators.
“We made huge strides the last four days,” said Calhoun, who arrived on the job last week to begin the task of following Fisher DeBerry. “The group of coaches we have will do a great job of relating to our players.”
DeBerry, who retired Dec. 15, compiled a 169-109-1 record in 23 years as the Falcons’ coach.
Calhoun designated Brian Knorr as assistant head coach, Tim Horton as offensive coordinator, Tim DeRuyter as defensive coordinator and Brian Schneider as special-teams coordinator.
Knorr was on DeBerry’s staff. Horton, a former AFA assistant, coached at Kansas State last season. DeRuyter, a former AFA defensive end and assistant coach, was Nevada’s co-defensive coordinator. Schneider, a former Colorado State linebacker and assistant, comes to the academy from Iowa State.
Calhoun also said the Falcons’ base offense will be the I-formation, not the triple option of the DeBerry era. The Falcons began using the option offense in 1980, when DeBerry joined Ken Hatfield’s staff as quarterbacks coach.
Horton, DeRuyter and former AFA players Steve Senn and Ben Miller were newly announced members of Calhoun’s staff. Horton also will work with wide receivers, and Miller will be assistant line coach for the varsity and offensive coordinator for the JV team. Senn will continue as JV head coach as well as an assignment with the varsity.
Calhoun previously announced he was retaining Blane Morgan, Jemal Singleton and military assistant Charlton Warren from DeBerry’s staff. Morgan, a former Air Force quarterback, will coach quarterbacks. Singleton, a former AFA halfback, will coach halfbacks and fullbacks.
Calhoun still has to name the Falcons’ offensive and defensive line coaches. He expects to have his staff completed by the end of the week.
