Army West Point and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) are currently engaged in talks about the possibility of Army joining the AAC as a football-only member, according to sources. The discussions have been described as positive, and a deal could be finalized within the next few weeks.
If the deal goes through, Army would replace SMU, which recently left the AAC to join the ACC. Army has been an independent football program since leaving Conference USA in 2004. The AAC has shown interest in bringing Army on board due to the national appeal of the military academy. Navy, another service academy, is already a member of the conference.
One of the main reasons for the AAC’s interest in Army is the program’s ability to recruit players from Texas and the Southeast, where the conference already has member schools. Additionally, Army is seen as a stronger program now compared to two decades ago, largely thanks to the coaching of Jeff Monken. Under Monken’s leadership, the Black Knights have finished ranked in the final AP Top 25 poll twice, including 2018. He currently holds the second-highest number of wins in the academy’s history.
However, it is important to note that if the deal is finalized, the Army-Navy Game in December would not be counted as an AAC game but rather a nonconference contest. Both Army and Navy would still be eligible to play in the AAC Championship Game the week before.
ESPN initially reported on the interest between Army and the AAC. The move by Army to the ACC was announced last week, making them the 14th football member of the recently expanded league.
This potential partnership between Army West Point and the AAC opens up new possibilities for both parties. Army would have a conference affiliation for its football program, which could bring additional benefits, and the AAC would add a highly respected institution with a strong football program to its ranks.
