SHREVEPORT, La. — Anyone who doesn’t feel an emotional tingle when the Air Force football team gathers after each game in front of the band and the cadet wing to sing the school’s alma mater is not off to a good start with coach Troy Calhoun.
The quiet, emotional power of that moment is something Calhoun cherishes. The 1989 graduate of the academy joins the celebration and sings after each game.
“The third verse of the ‘Air Force Song’ hits home,” Calhoun said. “I learned the words in the first three days I was here as a cadet in 1985. I’ve never forgotten them. I sing it a hair better after a victory. It’s a time when you reflect on those who have sacrificed so we can enjoy the fruits and freedoms we have in this country.”
In four years as Air Force’s head coach, Calhoun has seen his star rise. That’s not surprising considering he has produced four bowl teams in those four years. The Falcons (8-4) play in the Independence Bowl against Georgia Tech (6-6) on Monday.
With the success comes attention. And interest from other college programs who have a job opening.
Calhoun, 44, was a top target of Colorado to replace Dan Hawkins, but he would not leave. His name has also been mentioned as a candidate for the Broncos’ head coaching job.
Calhoun’s response to every media inquiry about his interest has been no response.
“One of the freedoms we have is freedom of speculation,” Calhoun said. “But I also have the freedom of choosing to not be a participant. In our country, you’re able to change jobs. But it’s also OK to be disciplined and honest.”
Embracing the AFA mission
Calhoun played quarterback at Air Force for coach Fisher DeBerry. After a tour of active duty, he served as an assistant coach on DeBerry’s staff. He later was an assistant coach on Jim Grobe’s staffs at Ohio and Wake Forest, an assistant on Mike Shanahan’s staff with the Broncos and the offensive coordinator on Gary Kubiak’s staff with the Houston Texans.
When asked to name his mentor, Calhoun mentioned all of the coaches he worked for — as well as his high school coach, Thurman Bell of Roseburg, Ore.
“He’s had a wealth of experience under some really good head coaches and he has taken a little bit from each coach and put it in our program,” said Blane Morgan, a former Air Force quarterback and now an assistant coach on Calhoun’s staff. “He’s not driven by what you might see in other coaches. He’s dedicated to his players. You see it and you feel it.”
From the outside, it seems automatic to think Calhoun would opt for the lure of more money and the prestige of coaching a Bowl Championship Series college program or an NFL team. That’s not necessarily the case.
“Coaching is a business,” said Air Force junior quarterback Tim Jefferson. “It’s about money, but not about money to him. I get the feeling he believes he has the best opportunity right here.”
The word “service” is big in Calhoun’s vocabulary. He had it inscribed on special uniforms the Falcons wore for games against rivals Army and Navy this season.
Calhoun believes that lessons from football will help his players become better Air Force officers once they leave the academy. Is he in some way serving his country by staying at the academy?
“I embrace the heck out of the responsibility of preparing these players to serve their country,” Calhoun said. “I look at the young people who commit to going here — it’s an amazing institution with a phenomenal mission and purpose — and I think a coach in a full-time role should be able to commit to coaching them.”
“Troy is the real thing”
Air Force athletic director Hans Mueh has heard the rumors about Calhoun leaving that circulate after each season. He doesn’t dismiss them, but knows it would take a incredible opportunity to get him to leave.
“I think he looks at the Air Force Academy as a special place,” Mueh said. “And we think there’s no one better than him to represent the Air Force Academy. In a perfect world, we’d like him to be here for 25 years and retire on his own merits.”
Mueh admits that when the Broncos’ coaching job came open with the firing of Josh McDaniels this month, he had a few anxious moments.
“I always thought that if the Broncos’ job opened, I’d have to pull a rabbit out of my hat to keep him,” Mueh said. “Within minutes of the report, he (Calhoun) called me. He didn’t say whether he had been contacted or not, but he said he wasn’t interested in leaving. Troy is the real thing.”
Calhoun is a college football history buff, as well as a student of military history. Amanda Calhoun gave her husband books about Gen. George Patton and Gen. Douglas MacArthur for Christmas.
“He’s interested in the history of World War II,” Amanda said. “I think General MacArthur is his favorite subject. He has some of his speeches on tape.”
According to Amanda, her husband doesn’t bring his job home. However, they watch tape of each game after it’s played. Then it’s her time to ask questions.
As for her husband’s future, she said the family feels content to stay in the Colorado Springs area. She likes attending sports events at the academy with children Tyler and Amelia.
“I don’t believe Troy thinks that bigger is necessarily better,” she said.
Priorities are in order
Calhoun’s staff members have definite ideas as to why he is successful.
“Football is where it’s supposed to be in his priorities,” said Air Force receivers coach Mike Thiessen, another former AFA quarterback. “Academics and citizenship come first. We’re in a pretty good place. A lot of coaches would love to be here.”
Said Ron Burton, the Falcons’ defensive line coach, “He’s dedicated to the mission of this place.”
Added running backs coach Jemal Singleton, “He’s perfect at a place where integrity is first and foremost.”
Asked about that, Calhoun agreed.
“Our players are really good role models,” he said. “I know that every morning when I wake up and drive through the north gate, there’s going to be goose bumps on my arms and back and it’s not from the wind chill.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Air Force Academy football
All-time record: 333-278-13 (.544)
Bowl record: 9-10-1 (.475)
Troy Calhoun era
2007 9-4, 6-2 MWC (second) Armed Forces Bowl (42-36 loss to Cal)
2008 8-5, 5-3 (fourth) Armed Forces (34-28 loss to Houston)
2009 8-5, 5-3 (fourth) Armed Forces (47-20 win over Houston)
2010 8-4, 5-3 (tied for third) Independence Bowl (Monday vs. Ga. Tech)
Overall 33-18 (21-11 MWC) 1-2 bowl record
