Air Force Academy coach Troy Calhoun took a first stand Sunday on what might become an issue after the college football season is over.
After the Falcons defeated Army 42-22 Saturday at West Point, N.Y., and won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, athletic director Hans Mueh provided a hint that he expects his telephone to be ringing after the Falcons complete regular-season play Nov. 18 at Nevada-Las Vegas.
Mueh said he expects interest in Calhoun from schools looking for a new football coach. At the same time, Mueh said Calhoun loves the Air Force Academy and that he belongs there.
Calhoun said he agreed and added: “This is a great place. There isn’t a place where you can work with any better young people.”
The excitement of winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2002 was reflected by senior defensive back Reggie Rembert.
“I can’t wait for it to get to the academy,” Rembert said. “This was my last chance to win it. I’ll be there when it arrives.”
Air Force’s equipment truck altered its course from West Point to swing through Anna polis, Md., to pick up the trophy at the Naval Academy. It’s expected to arrive by Wednesday.
Calhoun was a little torn Sunday between dwelling on Saturday’s big service academy victory and looking ahead to Saturday’s game with New Mexico.
“Winning the trophy was a heck of an achievement,” Calhoun said in one breath, but he quickly noted that the Lobos fit the description of a dangerous opponent.
Air Force (6-4) also became eligible to play in a bowl game with a sixth victory but now returns to Mountain West Conference action in the last two weeks of the regular season in need of a victory to nail down a fourth straight winning season.
Calhoun wasn’t into talking specifics on anything other than to build up New Mexico, a team that snapped a nine-game losing streak Saturday in a 34-31 home win over Wyoming.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
