Naval Academy Athletics

Major Alfonso Meidus, USMC was appointed head coach of the Navy sprint football program during the summer of 2021, becoming the 32nd head coach in the program’s history.
 
In his three seasons, Meidus directed Navy to a 23-1 (.958) overall record, including five victories over Army, with three consecutive Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) Championships (2021, ’22, ’23). Individually, the Midshipmen have boasted the League MVP each of the last three seasons – Adam Weissenfels (2021), Alex Totta (2022), and Brandon Atwood (2023).
 
Meidus directed Navy to an undefeated season in his first season at the helm of the sprint football team. Navy capped the 2021 season with a win over Army (W, 9-7) to claim the CSFL Championship. It was the first CSFL Championship for the Midshipmen since 2018 when Navy defeated Army, 24-10. The Mids concluded the season a perfect 8-0, marking the first undefeated season since 2014.
 
In the 2021 Star Game, the Mids recorded a 14-6 victory over rival Army at Shea Stadium in West Point, N.Y. in a defensive battle. Navy was able to hold the potent Army offense to under 200 total yards (193), including holding the Black Knight rushing attack to -10 yards on 34 total carries. The defense tallied 12 tackles for loss, including eight sacks on the day.
 
The Midshipmen had 15 different players earn 16 All-CSFL accolades with Adam Weissenfels being named the CSFL Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Weissenfels was the 2021 Most Valuable Player, which was chosen by a vote from the league coaches, who selected from the conference major award winners.
 
As a team, Navy scored 294 points (42.0 pts per game), while holding opponents to 47 (6.7) with one shutout. The Mids amassed 1,703 yards rushing with 1,273 passing yards for 2,976 yards of total offense. The Midshipmen tallied 425.1 yards per game, while the defense held opponents to under 175 yards (164.1) yards per contest. Navy scored 38 total touchdowns with 11 field goals, while limiting opponents to nine total scores (5 TD, 4 FG). The Mids’ defense picked off 10 passes, recovered eight fumbles, while registering 65 tackles for loss with 26 sacks and adding 28 pass breakups.
 
In Meidus’ second season, Navy once again completed an undefeated season (8-0), finishing the year with a win over Army (W, 28-21) at home to claim the 2022 CSFL Championship. The win gave Navy its 39th conference championship and 32nd outright title. It was the second consecutive CSFL Championship for the Midshipmen. It was the 27th time that Navy has gone unbeaten during the season.
 
Navy used a pair of defensive touchdowns to post a 27-13 victory over Army at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the annual Star Game to earn the Academy’s first Star of the 2022-23 academic year. Mitchell Waters registered a fumble recovery for a score, while Lane Condie returned an interception for a touchdown in the win. The Star win marked the first victory for Navy over Army in Annapolis since 2016 (W, 10-3). It was the largest margin of victory for Navy since posting a 24-10 win over Army in the 2018 CSFL Championship, while it was the most points scored for the Midshipmen since a 27-7 win in 2014.
 
Navy had 14 different players earn All-CSFL accolades when the CSFL announced its 2022 postseason list of All-League honorees with Alex Totta being named the CSFL Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
 
During the 2022 season, the Midshipmen scored 289 points (36.1 pts per game), while holding opponents to 82 (10.3) with two shutouts. The Mids amassed 1,785 yards rushing with 1,202 passing yards for 2,987 yards of total offense. Navy scored 38 total touchdowns with seven field goals, while limiting opponents to 13 total scores (9 TD, 2 FG). The Mids’ defense picked off 11 passes, recovered five fumbles, while registering 59 tackles for loss with 30 sacks and adding 25 pass breakups.
 
In 2023, the Midshipmen avenged its only loss of the season with a 28-23 victory against Army to win the 2023 CSFL Championship at Shea Stadium in West Point, N.Y. The win was the third consecutive title for the Mids.
 
When the CSFL announced its 2023 postseason list of All-League honorees, Navy had 14 different players earn All-CSFL accolades, with senior Brandon Atwood being named the CSFL Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
 
As a team, Navy scored 277 points (34.6 pts per game), while holding opponents to 86 (10.8) with a shutout. The Mids amassed 1,791 yards rushing with 1,252 passing yards for 3,043 yards of total offense. Navy scored 38 total touchdowns with five field goals, while limiting opponents to 16 total scores (10 TD, 6 FG). The Mids’ defense picked off 10 passes, recovered five fumbles, while registering 48 tackles for loss with 25 sacks and adding 23 pass breakups.
 
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.
 
Meidus is married to the former Amanda Poydence and the couple have two daughters, Annabelle and Angelina. In his spare time, Meidus enjoys spending time with his family, scuba diving, fishing, woodworking, and playing golf.