ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced that Major Alfonso Meidus, USMC has been appointed head coach of the Navy sprint football program. Meidus becomes the 32nd head coach in the program's history and takes over for Major Jason Dewald, USMC, who went 14-3 over his three years as head coach.
 
"My family and I are extremely excited to be back at the United States Naval Academy as members of the Navy sprint football family," Meidus said of his appointment. "I was very fortunate to have been part of this organization as a student athlete. I truly would not be where I am today without the tremendous mentorship I received from those who came before me. I am honored for the opportunity to give back to a program that gave so much to me. Beat Army!"
 
A 2009 graduate of the Naval Academy, Meidus was a member of the Navy sprint football team from 2005 to 2008, helping the Midshipmen win the CSFL Championship in 2005, 2007, and 2008. During his tenure as a player, Navy was a perfect 8-0 against Army, including four Star victories.
 
Meidus played as a running back for the Midshipmen, tallying 406 yards on 98 rushes for a 4.14 yards per carry average. He tallied eight total rushing touchdowns, including five during his senior season.
 
In 2009, Meidus was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to 1st Battalion 3D Marines as an Infantry Platoon Commander in 2010 before being deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011. Meidus was again deployed to Okinawa, Japan in 2012-13 as part of a Unit Deployment Program before being selected to attend Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC) in 2013. Upon graduation from BRC in 2013, he was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, ultimately being deployed on the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as a Force Recon Platoon Commander in 2016.
 
In 2017, Meidus was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and assumed command of Company A. While stationed in Camp Pendleton, he deployed on the 11th MEU in 2019 as the Force Reconnaissance Detachment Commanding Officer and assumed the additional responsibilities of the commanding officer of the Maritime Raid Force, now known as the All Domain Reconnaissance Company. Upon returning from deployment, Meidus remained at 1st Recon as the Operations Officer until being selected to take over as the head coach for the Navy sprint football team.