West Point teaches its cadets that in war, one must learn the lessons of the past. The question for those who follow its football program is: Will the Academy take its own advice?
West Point’s Athletic Director, Kevin Anderson, announced on Friday that Army Head Football Coach Stan Brock was fired after just two seasons on the Hudson.
But as the debate emerges about whether Brock (6-18) had adequate time to turn the program around; one thing should be clear to Army football fans:
The turn of events that culminated in Stan Brock’s dismissal began nine years ago on a Philadelphia street corner.
It was there, as the legend goes, on Dec. 5, 1999, one day after the disappointing 19-9 loss to Navy, that then-Army Athletic Director Rick Greenspan fired Head Coach Bob Sutton.
With that, the Young-Sutton era came to an end at West Point.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that the era was the end-all-be-all of Army football, nor did (as some speculate) Bob Sutton’s firing represent the loss of the Black Knights’ “last best hope” of being competitive.
But the termination started the program down a path of regression and lost identity that has plagued West Point ever since.
Sutton’s tenure at the Academy was by no means flawless. In nine seasons, he led the Black Knights to a pedestrian 44-55-1 record and had only two winning seasons (1993 and 1996).
Yet, Sutton understood the nuances of coaching at the Academy. He understood that unlike most I-A (now FBS) teams, the institution defines the football program at West Point rather than the football program defining the institution.
His teams reflected the tenacity, discipline and selfless service one would expect of a West Point football team. And though often outperformed by their more athletic opponents and maybe occasionally outcoached, they were notoriously competitive.
Enter Coach Todd Berry.
Despite just a 24-24 record at Illinois State, Berry succeeded Sutton as the 32nd head football coach at Army.
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