Falcons keep Calhoun but might lose DeRuyter
Air Force has kept coach Troy Calhoun for at least another year.
But the Falcons might not be able to hold on to defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
Calhoun, who was considered by multiple sources to be a top candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Tennessee, released a statement Thursday afternoon saying he’ll be Air Force’s coach in 2010.
“We are more than grateful and proud to be closely involved with the character building of our cadets and the mission of the United States Air Force Academy,” Calhoun said in the statement. “We are diligently recruiting and working with our team to prepare for the upcoming season. We look forward to coaching and being a part of the Air Force Academy team both on and off the field in 2010.”
While Calhoun will be back for a fourth season, DeRuyter could be headed to Texas A&M. The 47-year-old interviewed with the Aggies early this week and reportedly was in College Station on Thursday.
DeRuyter’s status was uncertain as of an afternoon team meeting held at the academy. But Thursday evening, the Austin American Statesman, quoting “a source within the A&M athletic department,” reported that “indications are extremely strong” that DeRuyter will be named defensive coordinator.
During his tenure at the academy, DeRuyter has transformed what was a porous defense into one of the nation’s better units. The year before DeRuyter arrived, the Falcons ranked 78th in the country in scoring defense (25.2 points allowed per game) and 78th in total defense (354.7 yards allowed per game). In 2009, they finished the season ranked 10th in scoring defense (15.7) and 11th in total defense (288.3 — the lowest mark at the academy since 1966).
Should DeRuyter leave, sources have indicated that assistant coach and co-defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt will take his place. Wallerstedt has been at the academy for two seasons.
Defense has been a priority for Air Force under Calhoun, who soothed anxiety at the academy Thursday by reinforcing his commitment to the Falcons.
Calhoun agreed to a five-year contract last January worth $4.175 million, including benefits, that made him the highest-paid athletic department employee in academy history.
In other staff news, offensive assistant Patrick Covington accepted a job at Coastal Carolina.
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun on the field with his team during a timeout against Navy Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE
Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun Photo by THE GAZETTE FILE