1/9/2002 - Football
Monken Named Slot Backs Coach
Links associated with this release:
0
0
0
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Naval Academy head football coach Paul Johnson announced Wednesday that Jeff Monken has joined his staff as the slot backs coach. Monken comes to Navy from Georgia Southern where he had coached the slot backs for the past five seasons.
"Jeff is an excellent coach and recruiter," said Johnson. "He is a hard worker who relates well to the kids. He is a great addition to the staff."
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come to the Naval Academy and to continue to work with Coach Johnson," said Monken. "Coach Johnson is a very loyal guy and I came to Navy because I trust him and I am confident we are going to be successful here. He is the best game day coach I have ever been around."
While coaching the multi-purpose slot backs in the spread offense, Georgia Southern finished first in the nation in rushing in 1999 (419 yards per game) and 2001 (323.6 yards per game).
In addition, Monken's slot backs were valuable members of the Eagle blocking and passing game, picking up 29 receptions in 2000 and 20 in 2001. On the ground, the slots, or A-Backs, rushed for 1,573 yards and seven touchdowns on 142 carries (11.1 yards per carry) in 2000 and 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns on 116 carries (9.3 yards per carry) in 2001.
Monken also headed up Georgia Southern's kickoff and punt return teams, as well as the punt team. The return teams averaged 20.9 yards-per-return and had three touchdowns from 1998-2000, while the 1997 unit established a school record with a 25.5 yards-per-return clip and two touchdowns. Georgia Southern's punt team was fourth in the nation in 2001, averaging a net of 38.71.
Monken, 34, has experienced a wide variety of duties throughout his career -- beginning in 1989 as a graduate assistant at the University of Hawaii. After a one-year stint as a graduate assistant at Arizona State in 1991, he moved on to the University of Buffalo, where he served as the wide receivers and tight ends coach and was the recruiting coordinator.
Prior to his arrival in Statesboro, he also served on the staffs at Morton (Ill.) High School and Concordia (Ill.) University.
The Joliet, Ill., native received his bachelor's degree from Millikin in 1989 where he played wide receiver for four years and was a two-time track letterman. In 1991, Monken earned his master's degree from the University of Hawaii. Monken wed the former Beth Register of New Smryna Beach, Fla., in July, 2001.
