The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has officially agreed to accept Army as a football-only member starting in 2024, according to sources briefed on the vote. The announcement is expected to be formally made later today, as reported by The Athletic and Yahoo Sports.
This move comes after Army’s stint in Conference USA from 1998 to 2004, before becoming an independent program. The AAC has been expanding its membership, welcoming six new schools ahead of the 2023 football season, taking the total number of members to 14. However, the conference will be losing SMU to the ACC next year.
Army recently secured a contract extension with head coach Jeff Monken, tying him to the program until the 2027 season, with an average annual salary of over $2 million.
The decision for Army to join the AAC is driven by the increasing difficulty of maintaining football independence. With conferences gaining more power and influence, aligning with a conference provides a clearer path to postseason opportunities. Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk highlighted the stability and infrastructure of the AAC as reasons for Army to join. Furthermore, the AAC provides a strong platform for Army, a program with a national brand and a dedicated fan base with consistent success in recent years.
The AAC’s ESPN contract, which runs through 2031-32, ensures stability for its member schools. However, it remains uncertain whether Army’s home games will be included in this deal or continue to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network until 2028. The conference also offers academic excellence through schools like Tulane, Rice, and Navy, and has a significant presence in Texas, a state from which all three service academies recruit heavily.
The possibility of having all three service academies in the AAC was previously discussed, with Air Force and three other Mountain West schools showing interest in joining the conference in 2021. While the addition of Air Force could still be on the table when the Mountain West’s TV deal expires, the conference itself could potentially benefit from the inclusion of Oregon State and Washington State, depending on the future of the Pac-12 remnants.
Army’s decision to join the AAC is further bolstered by its geographical location and long-standing rivalry with Navy, a current member of the conference. The annual Army-Navy Game will continue as a nonconference game. Additionally, Army will maintain its annual matchup against Air Force in November. Most of Army and Navy’s other sports currently compete in the Patriot League.
This move represents a significant milestone for Army football and provides new opportunities for the program within the AAC. As the conference continues to strengthen its position in college football, the addition of Army further enhances its national reach and competitive landscape.
(Photo: Danny Wild / USA Today)