I must admit that a quick glance at this page would lead one to believe that I have become a bit Colorado-centric but I think this is a fairly interesting story. Let me begin with saying that I have the utmost respect of the Men who play Football for any of the service academies. I doubt that anyone in the country loves the game more than them. Honestly Football should be the farthest thing from their minds, and the least of their concerns. But still they devote as much time to Football as every other kid, at every other program in the country.
I would fancy a bet that to most College Football fans the state of the Air Force Falcons Football program is of little concern or interest. That is a shame because for a very long time this program did everything the right way. They embodied the spirit of their coach on the field. They were like Nebraska under Dr. Thom Osborne; maybe not as flash and fast as Huskers but to me they carried themselves the right way. In 2005 the Falcons program was thrown upon the national stage for some statements made by the Monarch. After a frustrating loss to the, almost BCS bound Horned Frogs of Texas Christian (More on them in a minute) DeBerry remarked that “…you don’t see a lot of minority athletes in our program.” If that weren’t enough when asked for clarification on that quote later in the week he responded with “It just seems to be that way, that Afro-American kids can run very, very well. That doesn’t mean that Caucasian kids and other descents can’t run, but it’s very obvious to me they run extremely well.” Aside from research suggesting that Berry actually was pretty close to the topic regardless of his intent http://www.jonentine.com/reviews/quokka_01.htm. But anytime the topic of race is involved a maelstrom ensues and someone is going to go down.
It seemed inevitable; that soundbite would herald the end of the Fisher DeBerry era. And it was, one year later. DeBerry was a wonderful coach and produced a lot of good for Air Force Football. But it looks as if that 10 second soundbite is going to brand him. Just like the image of Woody Hayes punching Charlie Bauman has long since been ingrained into every College Football fans mind. The point is, if you mention Air Force that situation is likely to be on the top of every one’s minds.
Troy Calhoun has the task of changing that perception. I like his enthusiasm but he has a long way to go. Air Force has never been a consist ant conference title threat. They would string a series of winning seasons together with the occasional set back year being offset by a conference crown. They have dominated the Commander In Chiefs Trophy but have been middle of the road in whatever conference they occupy at the time. The Falcons last won a title 8 years and a conference ago. As it stands now Air Force looks even further away from that 1998 WAC Championship now. In the three years since the last Air Force winning season the Mountain West has improved by leaps and bounds. In 2004 Utah crashed the BCS and won America’s heart. In 2005 TCU had a let down after beating Oklahoma in Norman, inexplicably losing to SMU in Dallas costing them a BCS bid. Last season a resurgent BYU was this close to going undefeated. Losing two games by a combined 6 points and missing out on joining Boise State in the BCS. The Mountain West has established in short order their spot as the preeminent non BCS conference.
Which amplifies the task at hand for Mr. Calhoun. Can Air Force keep pace with the rapidly improving Mountain West? I don’t think they can. I am not sure they will ever be as consistent as they were in hay day of DeBerry. They will string together a few winning seasons here and there but that will be the extent of it. The fact that they will always be a tough and aggressive team will help, it is just the nature of the kids who enroll in the service academies, but I don’t think they will ever escape from the basement of the Mountain West, which is were they are going to find themselves again this year. You have to hope for the best for those kids, but they might soon join Army at bottom of the Bowl Subdivision barrel.
